There is so much failure in our lives even though we pretend otherwise. In order not to starve, we must accept the real food that God sends us, the Bread of life and the Cup of Salvation.
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Aug. 5, 2012 (18B)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Readings
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Is the Mass a Banquet or a Sacrifice?
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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
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First Reading
Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15
1. The Israelites muttered. No food in the desert. Memories of fleshpots in Egypt, where they were captives. How is your trust in God when God calls you to new places in your spiritual life or work?
2. What is it that the people must learn when God tells them to take only the manna they need for that day? Should countries apply the “take what you need” lesson to natural resources? To food?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 145: 10-11, 15-16, 17-18
1. Our psalmist promises, "We will declare to the generation to come the glorious deeds of the Lord ...." What part have you played in passing on your faith to the next generation?
2. Our Psalm speaks of the Lord bringing His people to 'His holy land, to the mountains His right hand has won.' What does it take for you to be able to climb the mountain of the Lord?
Second Reading
Ephesians 4:17, 20-24
1. One translation has Paul calling the Ephesians to a spiritual revolution (turning or drastic change). If you personally were to have a spiritual revolution, what would go and what would stay in your life? Would you add anything new?
2. How is this reading an explanation of baptism?
Gospel
John 6:24-35
1. The people reminded Jesus about the manna in Moses’ time and asked if he had a sign like that. What lesson did Jesus teach in answer?
2. “Our ancestors ate manna in the desert.” What is the food that you need for your life’s journey? Why do you think Jesus comes to us as bread or even as food? Would you have found that idea “hard to endure” if you were one of his disciples?
Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your comments on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
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“The Lord gave them bread from heaven.”
ReplyDeleteOur psalm this week is once again
about our spiritual and physical food
that we receive from the Lord.
Just as the Israelites of old were fed
when the Lord 'rained down manna
upon them for food,' so too we are fed
today with the body and blood of our Savior
in the sacrament of the Eucharist.
But are we worthy, are we deserving
of this heavenly food, that comes to us
through the passion of our Lord,
the sacrifice of God's only Son?
Over and over again our spiritual ancestors
turned away from God and were deceitful
despite the 'glorious deeds of the Lord
and the wonders that he wrought' on their behalf.
Must we too be chastised before
we repent and turn back to God?
Our own history isn't much different
from that of our ancestors –
a cycle of divine grace; followed by ingratitude;
then punishment; then renewed generosity.
We are obliged to repeat the history
of our ancestors, and in the end we are
at the mercy of God. In fact without His grace
where would we obtain our 'daily bread'?
Do we grumble until our prayers are answered?
Do we persist in putting God to the test?
Are we grateful for the food we receive
from the Lord? Or are we quick to forget
what the Lord has done for us?
St. Paul tells us (2nd reading) that
we really do need to repent and that
we should 'put away the old self of our
former way of life, corrupted through
deceitful desires, and put on the new self .'
And having done that, we are ready
to receive that precious bread from heaven.
Like the crowd at Capernaum (Gospel),
we plead with Jesus to give of himself
to us each day, so that we may eat of
the bread of life and never hunger again.
Amen