Today's Gospel Reading - Sunday, August 5, 2012 with Reflection

 1^ST READING - Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15

P S A L M - Psalm 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54

R: The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

3 What we have heard and know, and what our fathers have declared to us, 4 we will declare to the generation to come the glorious deeds of the Lord and his strength and the wonders that he wrought. (R) 23 He commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven; 24 he rained manna upon them for food and gave them heavenly bread. (R) 25 Man ate the bread of angels, for he sent them in abundance. 54 And he brought them to his holy land, to the mountains his right hand had won. (R)

2^ND READING - Ephesians 4:17, 20-24

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

John 6:24-35

24 When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. 25 And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” 28 So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” 29Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” 30 So they said to him, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? 31 Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” 32 So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

SABBATH

BREAD THAT GIVES LIFE The readings of today open with a story of bitter complaints. They close with a story of contentment and satisfaction. Both stories have to do with food — from complaint to closure. The Israelites grumbled about lack of quality food. The disciples were promised food that lasts forever. We never doubt the power of food to make us grow. The lack of it makes us shrivel at the root and die. And this is true both for material and spiritual growth. There is this story of an old Indian man who bore two wolves atop his shoulders. One was black and evil who continually tempted him, and the other was white, who continually encouraged him to live up to his very best. When asked, “Which of these two has the greatest power over you?” the man replied without hesitation, “The one I feed.” St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians speaks about a similar burden atop each one of us: the old self and the new self. The old self lives like the pagans do. The new self is the self renewed in Christ. I don’t know about you, but as for me, there is no doubt about how I often cater to the needs of the “old man” in me. I give in to my usual angry, mistrustful and lustful self, and forget to nurture and nourish the new man redeemed by the blood of Christ. But just like the story of the Israelites of old, our complaints must lead to closure. And thankfully, God comes to put a definitive closure to our growlings, gruntings and grumblings. He comes to bring us food — food that lasts, food that brings life eternal, food that will make us hunger no more, complain no more, and cry no more. This is what I know. I need this food. I need it to keep alive that “new self” given me by God in Baptism. I already have enough to feed the old self as it is, with my sins and selfishness galore. I need to partake of that promised food come down from heaven, the Bread that gives life. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB REFLECTION QUESTION: Which do you feed more — the evil or the good in you? Lord Jesus, help me to surrender my old self and focus on nurturing my new life in You. St. Addal, pray for us. Do you want to receive this in your email?  To get Bo Sanchez to send it to you personally, log-on to http://kerygmafamily.com. Lots of surprises await.