FIRST READING
“He walked in the strength of that food to the mount of God.”
A reading from the first Book of Kings (1 Kings 19:4-8)
In those days: Elijah went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank, and lay down again. And the angel of the LORD came again a second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, else the journey will be too great for you.” And he arose, and ate and drank, and walked in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm34:2-3.4-5.6-7.8-9 (R. 9a)
R/. Taste and see that the Lord is good!
I will bless the Lord at all times,
praise of him is always in my mouth.
In the Lord my soul shall make its boast;
the humble shall hear and be glad. R.
Glorify the Lord with me;
together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
from all my terrors he set me free. R.
R/. Taste and see that the Lord is good!
Look towards him and be radiant;
let your faces not be abashed.
This lowly one called; the Lord heard,
and rescued him from all his distress. R.
The angel of the Lord is encamped
around those who fear him, to rescue them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Blessed the man who seeks refuge in him. R.
SECOND READING
“Walk in love, just as Christ.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:30-5:2)
Brethren: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA John 6:51
Alleluia. I am the living bread which came down from heaven, says the Lord; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 6:41-51)
At that time: The Jews murmured at Jesus, because he said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that any one has seen the Father except him who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
In his book, wrestling with Christ, the Italian novelist, dramatist and mystic luigi Santucci (1918-1999) explains that when Jesus gave bread to his disciples, he deliberately said: “This is my body,” and not “This is my spirit,” because he wanted to be constantly present with them through something concrete and familiar to them: bread and wine. Jesus chose bread and wine because he knew that food and drink matter in human life. In every gathering of people eating and drinking are expressions of unity, solidarity, harmonious relationship, fellowship and joy. Those who partake in consuming the body and blood of Christ establish a relationship with him. Hence to eat and drink of Christ’s body and blood is to share his life.