Gospel Reflection Aug 11 – Deacon Stephen Petrill
Sunday, August 11
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
John 6: 41-51
Gospel:
The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said,
“I am the bread that came down from heaven, “
and they said,
“Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph?
Do we not know his father and mother?
Then how can he say,
‘I have come down from heaven’?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“Stop murmuring among yourselves.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him,
and I will raise him on the last day.
It is written in the prophets:
They shall all be taught by God.
Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me.
Not that anyone has seen the Father
except the one who is from God;
he has seen the Father.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes has eternal life.
I am the bread of life.
Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;
this is the bread that comes down from heaven
so that one may eat it and not die.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven;
whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
Gospel Reflection:
This weekend’s Gospel presents a profound moment where Jesus declares Himself to be the “bread of life,” a claim that stirred confusion and even indignation among His listeners. They murmured among themselves, struggling to see beyond the familiar and physical reality of Jesus to recognize the deeper spiritual and divine truth He was revealing. This passage challenges us, as it challenged them, to move beyond mere appearances and to embrace the mystery of Christ’s divine presence.
The Bread of Life Discourse in the Gospel of John calls us to reflect deeply on our faith in the Eucharist. Do we truly believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, or do we struggle with doubt or indifference? This passage invites us to examine our hearts and ask ourselves where we stand in our belief. Are we fully convinced, hesitant, or somewhere in between? It is in this honest reflection that we can begin to grow in our understanding and love for the Eucharist.
Saint Mother Teresa once offered simple yet profound advice for those struggling with belief in Christ’s Real Presence: “Pray.” She emphasized that “the fruit of prayer is always the joy of loving Jesus, coming closer to Him.” When asked what to do if we do not know how to pray, she reassured us, saying, “I will teach him; we learn to pray by praying. Even Jesus spent hours in prayer.”
May God continue to pour His grace upon us, deepening our love for the Eucharist and strengthening our commitment to prayer, so that we may grow closer to Christ and help one another on this sacred journey.
Deacon Stephen Petrill