19th Sunday in Ordinary time
Readings:
1 Kings 19: 4-8
Ephesians 4: 30-5:2
John 6: 41-51
Reflection:
The story of Elijah is very encouraging in that he was giving up, in the wilderness and feeling low, so low that he prayed to die. Imagine his surprise when he is touched by someone (an angel) encouraging him to sit up and eat what had been prepared for him. He did! I am sure we all enjoy a meal that is set before us ready! However, it took another nudge, a second encounter with the angel, for him to eat more to build up his strength for the journey. If you are trying to encourage someone keep trying. There are times when we all need an angel to encourage us for the journey, and like Elijah, we can be a little stubborn or maybe we don’t quite believe we are worth anyone’s time. Let’s give thanks for those people who have been angels in our lives. Is God inviting us today to give a nudge of encouragement to a friend or a stranger?
The Gospel began with the Jews complaining about Jesus. This is not surprising as Jesus is claiming to be the ‘bread of life’ a claim too far for those who are listening. Jesus is using bread as a metaphor or does he go beyond a metaphor when he speaks of his flesh? Bread gives us energy, satisfies a need, nourishes. When we eat bread, it becomes part of us so I think Jesus is simply saying he wants to be part of us to nourish us with his life and spirit so that we have the energy we need to build the reign of God in our daily interactions. This includes a concern for all in our world who go hungry, and sadly there are too many, so let us reach out where we can to offer help.
More importantly let us do what we can towards creating a fair and sustainable world for all by advocating where possible and speaking out for justice. This is spelt out clearly in the letter to the Ephesians where we are exhorted to ‘be kind and compassionate’ to one another.
Sr. Brigid Murphy CP
Sisters of the Cross & Passion,
Melbourne