Sunday, August 11, 2024
The readings chosen by the Church for this Sunday once again speak of God providing for our needs through the transformative power of the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. They invite us to continue reflecting on His gift that, as the Catechism states it, contains the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine. The Eucharist provides spiritual nourishment and is God’s pledge of future glory. It is an essential source of grace and strength that transforms and empowers us to live out our faith with a commitment to love and service to God and people. It is central not only to our lives but also to the life of the Church as it unites us with Christ and one another to become one body, the Church.
In the Old Testament Reading from the First Book of Kings, we learn about a significant time in the life of the prophet Elijah, his struggles, and God’s response to his plight. Elijah confronted the false prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and called for fire from heaven to illustrate the power of the true God. Fearful and despondent, he fled into the wilderness as Queen Jezebel sought to kill him. He falls into despair and cries out: “Enough, Lord! Take my life”. But an angel of God brought a hearth cake and a jug of water, woke him from his sleep twice, and pleaded with him to get up to eat. Strengthened by the food, Elijah walked forty days and forty nights to Mount Horeb. The Reading is full of symbolism. Mount Horeb is where Moses encountered God in the burning bush and received the Ten Commandments. It is a reference to God establishing His covenant with His people and a reminder of His call to faithfulness and assurance of His love and grace throughout the journey of faith. The forty days and forty nights reference the forty years the Israelites wandered in the desert after fleeing slavery in Egypt as God tested, purified, and prepared them for the promised land. The Eucharist is the food and drink from heaven that we receive at mass on our journey to be with God.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus used symbolic language that the Jews would have understood when He said He is the bread of life that came down from heaven. He added that the bread is His flesh: “the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (John 6:51b). The bread and wine in the Eucharist are not merely symbolic. During the celebration of the Eucharist, they are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ while their substance remains.
Finally, in the New Testament reading for today, from the Epistle to the Ephesians, Paul outlines the principles for living a holy life in Christ and how we should conduct ourselves daily. We can acknowledge that there is a place for righteous anger when we see injustices. However, Paul directs us against harboring bitterness, rage, and reviling, as these can lead to malice. Instead, he urges us to show kindness and compassion and be forgiving as we strive to imitate Christ in our lives.
Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord.