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Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 8th) – Cycle B

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THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit.  “THE PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I TOLD YOU.”  (JOHN 14:26)

FIRST DAY  Reread last week’s readings.

1. What was a helpful or new thought from the readings or from the homily you heard on Sunday?

 

2. From what you learned, what personal application did you choose to apply to your life this week?

 

 

SECOND DAY READ 1 KINGS 19:4-8 FIRST READING

(“Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you.”)

l. Who went to the desert, and what did he pray for as he sat beneath the tree? 1 Kings 19:3-4

 

2. Who did Elijah say he was no better than? 1 Kings 19:4

 

3. Who is another person who told the Lord he wanted to die, and what was the Lord’s response to him? Jonah 4:6-11

 

4. What does the Lord say about his ways of doing things? Isaiah 55:8-9

 

5. What did Elijah lie down and do, who touched him, and what did he order him to do?   1 Kings 19:5

 

6. What did Elijah find at his head, and for what did the angel of the Lord come back a second time?  1 Kings 19:6-7

 

Personal  –  What has caused you to want to give up and die? Bring it to the Lord and ask him to reveal his truth to you on this situation.

 

7. What did Elijah get up and do for the second time, and what did it do for him? 1 Kings 19:8

 

8. Where do we get our strength, and what gives you life? John 6:53

 

9. How long did Elijah walk, and where was he going? 1 Kings 19:8

 

10. In what are we to walk or live our life? 2 John 4

 

Personal – How has God provided a way out of a difficult situation for you?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ EPHESIANS 4:30-5:2 SECOND READING

(“So be imitators of God, as beloved children.”)

1. With whom were we sealed for the day of redemption, and whom should you not grieve?    Ephesians 4:30

 

2. What must be removed from us? Ephesians 4:31, also verse 29

 

3. What kind of shouting is acceptable? Psalms 47:1

 

4. How are we to be toward one another, and what has God done for us in Christ? Ephesians 4:32

 

5. What did Jesus say to the Father as he was being crucified? Luke 23:34

 

6. What do we have in Jesus? Ephesians 1:7

 

7. Whom are we to imitate, and what are we to him? Ephesians 5:1

 

8. How are we to imitate God? 1 John 2:6

 

9. How are we to live, and how did Christ show his love for us? Ephesians 5:2

 

10. Whose interest are we to look out for, and how should we regard others? Philippians 2:3-4

 

Personal – In what way can you take on the attitude of Christ in your home, work, parish, or school?

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ JOHN 6:41-51 GOSPEL

(“…the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”)

1. About what were the Jews murmuring?  John 6:41-42

 

2. What did Jesus tell them to stop doing? John 6:43

 

3. How did Jesus say we come to him, and what will he do on the last day? John 6:44

 

4. When Jesus was lifted up from this earth, whom did he say he would draw to himself?    John 12:32

 

5. What is written in the prophets, and who comes to Jesus? John 6:45

 

6. What shall be great among those taught by God? Isaiah 54:13

 

7. How do we understand what is taught by God? 1 Corinthians 2:12-13

 

8. Who has seen the Father?  John 6:46

 

9. Who has eternal life, and what does Jesus say he is? John 6:47-48

 

10. What happened to our ancestors, and what is this bread? John 6:49-50

 

11. Who does Jesus say he is, what will happen to those who eat this bread, and what does Jesus say the bread he gives is? John 6:51

 

Personal – How have you been strengthened by the bread that came down from heaven (Jesus), and in what ways do you partake of his body?  How has Word and sacrament at Mass affected your life?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 34:2-9

(“I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 34:2-9.

What is the Lord saying to you personally through the Psalm?

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

1 KINGS 19:4-8

Today’s passage shows us how a powerful prophet of the Lord allows fear to cripple him. We see Elijah running from the wicked Queen Jezebel after he had just destroyed her false prophets in a spectacular display of divine power. Elijah experienced the depths of fatigue and discouragement just after his two great victories, the defeat of the prophets of Baal and the answered prayer for rain.

Jezebel’s threat to kill Elijah completely drained him. To lead him out of this state of depression, God let him rest and eat. God then confronted him to get on with his mission in life, and that was to be God’s prophet. Elijah’s battles were far from over, and there was still much work for him to do.

We need to remember that when we feel a letdown after a great spiritual experience, God’s purpose for our life is not yet over.  Elijah fled to the safety and silence of Mt. Horeb, where God met Moses and gave his laws to mankind. God gave Elijah the strength to travel about 200 miles to that great sacred mountain without additional food.  Elijah, like Moses before him and Jesus after him, fasted for forty days and nights. Elijah thought he was the only person left who was still true to his calling.  He experienced victory and then discouragement, and that made him feel sorry for himself.  When we are tempted to feel we are the only ones remaining faithful, be assured that others are faithfully obeying God and carrying out their duties also.

 

EPHESIANS 4:30-5:2

Paul tells us in today’s passage that we can grieve the Holy Spirit by the way we live our lives. He warns us against foul language, meanness, improper use of language, quarrels, harsh words and bad attitudes toward others.  We do not have to act this way.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be forgiving, just as our Lord has forgiven us of our sins.  You need to reflect for a moment, right now. Are you pleasing or grieving God with your words, attitudes and actions?  You tell the world that the Holy Spirit within you is a sign that you belong to God and only God.

The law of Christ is summed up in love and forgiveness. They both are decisions and it is a sign to all that Christ is really present in us when through the power of the Spirit we decide to love and decide to forgive.  God does not forgive us because we forgive others; he forgives us out of his great mercy.  We want to be more like him as we become more open to his Holy Word, and having received his forgiveness, we are open to forgive others. It is very evident that those who are unwilling to forgive have not become one with Christ, who was willing to forgive, even those who crucified him (Luke 23:34).  Our love for others should be a love that goes beyond affection to self-sacrificing service. Jesus loves each one of us like that.

 

JOHN 6:41-51

This passage shows that the Jewish leaders, like many people today, judged things by human values and by external standards. Their reaction to Jesus’ claim as to who he was produced the fact that he was only a poor Nazarene who was the son of a poor local carpenter. There was no way that someone who was so ordinary as he could be a special messenger of God.

Today’s Gospel really drives home the point that we should never neglect a message from God, because we do not care for the messenger. God has many messengers. His greatest message came through a Galilean carpenter and for that very reason the Jews disregarded it.  Their appraisal of him as a small town carpenter totally blurred their vision of him and interfered with accepting his claim of divinity.

Today many people reject Christ because they say they cannot believe he is the Son of God. In reality, the claims he makes on their lives are what they really object to.  They deny the messenger in order to protect themselves from the message. The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time asked the same questions that many people ask today. How can Jesus give us his flesh to eat?  We need to know and believe that to eat his living bread means to unite ourselves with Jesus. We are united with him in several ways. One is by believing in his death and resurrection and by committing ourselves to living as he commanded us. Others include reading daily his Holy Word, by partaking of him in sacramental union and by trusting in the power of his Holy Spirit.

 

Application

The first reading shows us that God is our refuge, our fortress and our strength (Psalm 91).  The second reading reveals that we need to be, before we do.  The Gospel reveals that God delivers his message through many messengers.

This week, show what you believe by how you live. Show your family that you are in peace by receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, his Holy Word, meditation and Christian fellowship.  Show them that because the Holy Spirit resides in you, you do not have to be afraid of anything or anyone.  Let them see you experience God’s love as you partake of his living bread in Holy Communion.

Lectio Divina – Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 8th) – Cycle B

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PURPOSE OF THIS SCRIPTURE READING – Develop a personal relationship with Jesus through the Word of God with the understanding that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of all Jesus said and did. Psalm 32:8 tells us, “I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you.”

  1. Say the opening prayer.
  2. Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you.
  3. Converse with Jesus, asking questions and listening to Him.

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

Father, I can’t understand Your Word without Your grace, I acknowledge my weakness so your power can reach perfection in me. Send Your Holy Spirit to remind, teach, and guide me to the Truth. May I share as soon as possible whatever You teach me. AMEN

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

John 6:41-51 – 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.”

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

 

Decimoctavo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (1 de Agosto) – Ciclo B

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El Pan de Vida Estudio de Biblia Católico

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

ANTES DE COMENZAR:

Ora y pidele a Dios que te hable a través de Su Espíritu Santo. “EL ESPIRITU SANTO INTERPRETE, QUE EL PADRE LES ENVIARA EN MI NOMBRE, LES VA A ENSEÑAR TODAS LAS COSAS Y LES RECORDARA TODAS MIS PALABRAS.”  (JUAN 14:26)

PRIMER DIA  Vuelve a leer las lecturas de la semana pasada.

1. ¿Cuál fue el mensaje qué recibiste de la homilia o de las lecturas que oiste en misa el domingo?

 

2. ¿De lo que aprendiste, qué escogiste para aplicar a tu vida esta semana?

 

 

SEGUNDO DIA LEE EXODO 16:2-4, 12-15 PRIMERA LECTURA

(“Voy a hacer llover pan del cielo;”)

1. ¿Contra quién murmuraba la comunidad Israelita y por qué? Exodo 16:2-3 y Exodo 16:8

 

2. ¿Qué les pasó a algunos de ellos por quejarse y murmurar? 1 Corintios 10:9-10

 

3. ¿Qué dijo Jesús al pueblo?   Juan 6:43

 

Personal – ¿Te has estado quejando de alguien mas cuando en realidad tu queja es hacia Dios?

 

4. ¿Qué le dijo el Señor a Moisés y por qué los estaba probando?  Exodo 16:4

 

5. ¿Cómo sabemos con seguridad que conocemos a Dios? 1 Juan 2:3-5

 

6. ¿Qué le dijo el Señor a Moisés que había oído? ¿Qué les dio y por qué razón?  Exodo 16:12

 

7. ¿Qué les dio en la noche y qué en la mañana? Exodo 16:13-14

 

8. ¿Qué dijo la gente y qué les dijo Moisés? Exodo 16:15

 

9. Cuando le pedimos a Dios algo; ¿cuándo nos lo da? 1 Juan 5:14-15

 

10. ¿Por qué pedimos solamente por aquéllo que necesitamos? Proverbios 30:8-9

 

Personal – ¿Te ha provisto Dios de lo que necesitabas, aún cuando todo lo que has estado haciendo es murmurar con otros acerca de tus necesidades?

 

 

TERCER DIA LEE EFESIOS 4:17, 20-24 SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“…que su mente se haga mas espiritual.”)

1. ¿Qué declara y testifica Pablo? Efesios 4:17

 

2. ¿Qué le pasa a la mente cuando rehusamos honrar y agradecer a Dios? Romanos 1:21

 

3. “Si aprendimos a Cristo y fuimos enseñados en El,” ¿qué es lo que aprendimos? Efesios 4:20-21

 

4. ¿Qué llega a través de Jesús? Juan 1:17

 

5. ¿Qué debemos dejar atrás? Efesios 4:22

 

6. ¿Cómo debemos revestirnos? Efesios 4:23

 

7. ¿De qué manera nos apartamos de la vida de Dios? Efesios 4:18

 

8. ¿Cómo se crea al nuevo yo?  Efesios 4:24

 

9. ¿Qué no debemos hacernos unos a otros? ¿Cómo nos renovamos? Colosenses 3:9-10

 

10. ¿Qué se pone el hombre nuevo?   Colosenses 3:12-14

 

Personal – Trata de identificar algunas de tus características de tu viejo yo y algunas de tu nuevo yo. ¿Cuándo tuvo lugar el cambio y qué lo causo?

 

 

CUARTO DIA LEE JUAN 6:24-35  EVANGELIO

(“Jesús les dijo…: Yo soy el Pan de Vida.”)

1. ¿Quiénes estaban buscando a Jesús? ¿Qué le dijeron cuando lo encontraron?  Juan 6:24-25

 

2. ¿Por qué dijo Jesús que lo estaban buscando?  Juan 6:26

 

3. ¿Por qué les dijo Jesús que debían afanarse? ¿Quién lo ofrece y con qué lo señaló Dios?  Juan 6:27

 

4. ¿Qué dijo Jesús que es Su alimento?  Juan 4:34

 

5. ¿Qué le dijo la gente a Jesús y cuál fue Su respuesta? Juan 6:28-29

 

6. ¿Qué le pidieron que les diera para que pudieran ver y creer en El? Juan 6:30

 

7. ¿Qué dijeron que se les había dado a sus ancestros y quién dijo Jesús que da el verdadero pan del cielo? Juan 6:31-32

 

8. ¿Qué hace el pan de Dios?  Juan 6:33

 

9. ¿Qué pidió la gente y qué les dio Jesús? Juan 6:34-35

 

10. ¿Quién será el que nunca tendrá hambre ni sed? Juan 6:35

 

Personal – Compara el tiempo que usas para llevar comida a tu mesa y el tiempo que usas para la comida de tu alma. ¿Cómo puedes hacer para tomar mas tiempo en el trabajo de tu comida celestial?

 

 

QUINTO DIA LEE SALMO 78:3-4, 23-25, 54

(“Les mandó como lluvia – maná para comida, – les dió trigo del cielo.”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 78:3-4, 23-25, 54.

¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor a través de este Salmo?

 

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria?

 

 

SEXTO DIA LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO

EXODO 16:2-4, 12-15

La descripción del estado salvaje del pecado era la de un lugar árido, rocoso con arena y piedra. La temperatura era inmensamente caliente, con vientos de día y seco y helado durante la noche. Era el lugar perfecto para que Dios probara y templara el carácter de Su pueblo. Los Israelitas se estaban quejando una vez mas de los peligros e inconvenientes que pasaban desde que habían salido de Egipto. Añoraban regresar a Egipto y hasta habían olvidado los horrores de la esclavitud que sufrieron ahí.

Todos hemos pasado por circunstancias que causan tensión y la respuesta natural es quejarse. Los Israelitas no se estaban fijando en la causa de sus tensiones que era la falta de confianza en Dios. Nosotros somos así a veces y nos concentramos demasiado en lo que nos molesta y no lo suficiente en quién nos proteje y nos alivia. Los Israelitas hacian lo que mucha gente hace hoy día o sea pensar en el modo mas rápido de salir de los problemas. Acuérdense cuando les salgan al paso las presiones, resistan la tentacion de huir rapidamente escapándose o volviéndose atrás. En vez de eso, concéntrense en pedir a Dios su fuerza y sabiduría para que les ayude a enfrentarse con la causa de sus tensiones.

Dios prometió satisfacer las necesidades de los Hebreos de darles comida en el desierto, pero también decidió probar su obediencia. El nos ha prometido alimento eterno, pero también nos llama a que le obedezcamos. Aprendemos a obedecerle únicamente si obedecemos Sus mandamientos. Jesús nos ha mandado que nos amemos unos a otros así como El nos ha amado (Juan 13:34). Seremos capaces de enfrentarnos con el desierto mas árido que podamos imaginarnos si recordamos que El está con nosotros y nunca nos dejará (Mateo 28:20).

 

EFESIOS 4:17, 20-24

El modo en que vivimos es realmente el modo en que creemos y si somos llamados Cristianos debemos vivir como Cristo. La gente debe ver la diferencia entre Cristiano y no-Cristiano simplemente por el modo en que el Cristiano vive. En la lectura de hoy Pablo les dice a los Efesios que dejen atrás la vieja vida de pecado ahora que son seguidores de Cristo. Nos está diciendo a nosotros ese mismo mensaje hoy día.

La vida Cristiana es un proceso que guía continuamente a una persona hacia una relación personal mas profunda con Jesucristo. Cuando Jesucristo se vuelve el Señor de nuestra vida, encontramos que nuestros pensamientos y actitudes tienen un cambio notable para bien. Y seguimos cambiando todo el tiempo mientras continuamos escuchando a Dios. Pablo nos dice que nos deshagamos de la “persona vieja” como si fuera un traje viejo y nos pongamos una “persona nueva” como si fuera un traje nuevo.

Mirando al año que ya pasó. ¿Ves algún proceso de cambio para mejorar en tus pensamientos, acciones y actitudes? Aunque el cambio te parezca muy lento, llega, si confías en que Dios te cambiará. La persona vieja era una persona que respondía a los pensamientos, acciones y actitudes del mal. La nueva persona que eres ahora en Cristo debe considerarte muerto y sin respuesta a los deseos malos, al pecado sexual, la impureza, los deseos codiciosos y el materialismo. Sabemos por experiencia que eso no es fácil así que debemos hacer una diaria y concienzuda decisión de vivir de acuerdo a los valores de Dios y a confiar completamente en el poder del Espíritu Santo.

Pablo apela a los creyentes de todas las edades de sostener el compromiso hecho en su bautismo y les exhorta a permanecer fieles a su confesión de fe. Guiados por el Espiritu Santo deshagámonos de la vieja vida y pongámonos la nueva vida en Cristo. Eso es lo que la gente ve cuando ven a un Cristiano. ¿Qué es lo que la gente ve cuando te ve a ti?

 

JUAN 6:24-35

En el Evangelio de hoy Jesús es muy directo en Su respuesta a la muchedumbre que esperaba. Les dice que fueron bendecidos con ver como la gracia de Dios permitió que una gran cantidad de gente fuera alimentada con una cantidad tan pequeña de comida. Y continúa diciéndoles que sus pensamientos deben ser hacia Dios quien hizo estas grandes cosas, en vez de nada mas estar pensando en recibir mas pan. Les dice que no gasten tanto tiempo y energía consiguiendo el alimento que se acaba, sino al contrario que se esfuercen por el alimento que dura siempre y que da vida eterna.

Jesús está hablando de dos clases de hambre. Una es el hambre física que la comida física puede satisfacer y la otra es espiritual,que esa comida no puede nunca satisfacer. Les hace notar que en lo que ellos estaban realmente interesados era la satisfacción física. Jesús quiere que se den cuenta de la otra clase de hambre, la que sólo El puede satisfacer. O sea el hambre por la verdad y sólo El es la verdad de Dios. Hay hambre de vida y sólo El es la vida abundante. Hay el hambre por el amor y sólo El es el amor que va mas alla de la muerte. Recordemos siempre que sólo Cristo puede satisfacer el hambre del corazón y del alma humana.

Se nos dice en esta Escritura que Dios ha puesto Su sello en El y que ese sello de Dios es la verdad. El sello de Dios ha sido puesto sobre todo el que cree en Jesucristo y ese sello de verdad ha sido puesto ahí por el Espíritu Santo. En el viejo mundo era el sello y no la firma lo que daba a las cosas su valor. Sabemos que la verdad de Dios es el principio, el medio y el final de la vida. Por eso es que Jesús puede satisfacer el hambre eterna. El esta sellado por Dios, El es la verdad de Dios Encarnada y sólo Dios puede satisfacer verdaderamente el hambre del alma que El creó.

 

Aplicación

La primera lectura revela que la respuesta espiritual que responde a las tensiones es la obediencia a Dios. La segunda lectura muestra que lo que creemos es el modo en que vivimos. El Evangelio muestra que sólo Jesús puede satisfacer el hambre eterna.

Esta semana, aliméntate con la Palabra de Dios cuando te ataque el hambre de las tentaciones o de las tensiones. Recuerda que Jesús puede satisfacer tu hambre a través de la oración, la lectura de Su Palabra, la recepción de los Sacramentos y la unión con otros Cristianos. Permítele ser el Pan de Vida en tu vida diaria y verás un cambio radical en tu salud física y espiritual.

Lectio Divina – Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 1st) – Cycle B

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PURPOSE OF THIS SCRIPTURE READING – Develop a personal relationship with Jesus through the Word of God with the understanding that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of all Jesus said and did. Psalm 32:8 tells us, “I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you.”

  1. Say the opening prayer.
  2. Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you.
  3. Converse with Jesus, asking questions and listening to Him.

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

Father, I can’t understand Your Word without Your grace, I acknowledge my weakness so your power can reach perfection in me. Send Your Holy Spirit to remind, teach, and guide me to the Truth. May I share as soon as possible whatever You teach me. AMEN

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

John 6:24-35 – When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of man will give you. For on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” So they said to Him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one He sent.” So they said to Him, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

So they said to Him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

 

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 1st) – Cycle B

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THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit.  “THE PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I TOLD YOU.”  (JOHN 14:26)

FIRST DAY  Reread last week’s readings.

1. What was a helpful or new thought from the readings or from the homily you heard on Sunday?

 

2. From what you learned, what personal application did you choose to apply to your life this week?

 

 

SECOND DAY READ EXODUS 16:2-4, 12-15 FIRST READING

(“I will now rain down bread from heaven for you.”)

1. Against whom were the Israelite community grumbling, and about what were they grumbling? Exodus 16:2-3, Exodus 16:8

 

2. What happened to some of them by grumbling and complaining? 1 Corinthians 10:9-10

 

3. What did Jesus tell the people?  John 6:43

 

Personal  –  In what way have you been complaining to someone else when in reality your complaint is toward God?

 

4. What did the Lord say to Moses, and why was he testing them? Exodus 16:4

 

5. How do we know for sure that we know God? 1 John 2:3-5

 

6. What did the Lord tell Moses he heard, what did he give them, and for what reason did he do this? Exodus 16:12

 

7. What came in the evening and the morning? Exodus 16:13-14

 

8. What did the people say, and what did Moses tell them? Exodus 16:15

 

9. When we ask God for something, when does he give it to us? 1 John 5:14-15

 

10. Why do we ask for only what we need? Proverbs 30:8-9

 

Personal – How has God provided you with what you needed even though all you have been doing is grumbling to others about your needs?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ EPHESIANS 4:17, 20-24 SECOND READING

(“…be renewed in the spirit of your minds.”)

1. To what does Paul declare and testify? Ephesians 4:17

 

2. What happens to the mind when we refuse to honor God and thank him? Romans 1:21

 

3. If we learned Christ and were taught in him, what did we learn? Ephesians 4:20-21

 

4. What comes through Jesus? John 1:17

 

5. Of what should we get rid? Ephesians 4:22

 

6. How should we be renewed? Ephesians 4:23

 

7. How can we be alienated from the life of God? Ephesians 4:18

 

8. In what is the new self created? Ephesians 4:24

 

9. What do we stop doing to one another, and in what is the new self renewed? Colossians 3:9-10

 

10. What does the new self put on?  Colossians 3:12-14

 

Personal –  Identify some of the characteristics of your old self and of your new self.  When did the change take place, and what caused it?

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ JOHN 6:24-35 GOSPEL

(“Jesus explained…: I myself am the bread of life.”)

1. Who was looking for Jesus, and what did they say to him when they found him? John 6:24-25

 

2. Why did Jesus say they were looking for him?  John 6:26

 

3. For what did Jesus tell them to work, who is offering it to them, and what has God set on him?  John 6:27

 

4. What did Jesus say his food is? John 4:34

 

5. What did the people say to Jesus, and what was his response to them? John 6:28-29

 

6. What did they ask him to give them so they could see and believe in him? John 6:30

 

7. What did they say their ancestors were given, and who did Jesus say gives true bread from heaven?  John 6:31-32

 

8. What does the bread of God do? John 6:33

 

9. For what did the people ask, and what did Jesus give them? John 6:34-35

 

10. Who will never go hungry, and who will never thirst? John 6:35

 

Personal –  Compare the time you take to work for the food on your table and the time you take for food for your soul.  How can you spend more time on working for heavenly food?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 78:3-4, 23-25, 54

(“He rained manna upon them and gave them heavenly bread.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 78:3-4, 23-25, 54.

What is the Lord saying to you personally through the Psalm?

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

EXODUS 16:2-4, 12-15

The description of the wilderness of sin was that it was a place of barrenness, rocks, sand and stone. The temperature was brutally hot, and it was windy during the day, and dry and frigid during the night. It was a perfect place for God to test and shape the character of his people. The Israelites were complaining once again about the dangers and inconveniences they experienced since leaving Egypt.  They longed to be back in Egypt, and they even forgot the horror of their slavery there.

We have all experienced circumstances that cause stress, and the natural response is to complain. The Israelites were not focusing on the cause of their stress, and that was their lack of trust in God. Many times we are like that and concentrate too much on what is bothering us and not enough on who is protecting and healing us. The Israelites were doing what many people do today, and that is to think about the quickest way to escape from the problem.  Remember, when pressure comes your way, resist the temptation to make a quick escape like running away or going back. Instead, concentrate in prayer on God’s power and wisdom to help you deal with the cause of your stress.

God promised to meet the Hebrew’s needs for food in the wilderness, but he decided to test their obedience. He has promised us eternal food, but he also calls us to obey him. We can learn obedience only by obeying his commandments. Jesus has commanded us to love one another, as he has loved us (John 13:34). We will be able to deal with the most barren wilderness ever imagined if only we remember that he is with us and will never leave us (Matthew 28:20).

 

EPHESIANS 4:17, 20-24

The way we live is really what we believe, and to be called a Christian, one should live like Christ.  People should be able to see the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian, simply because of the way a Christian lives.  In today’s reading, Paul is telling the Ephesians to leave behind that old life of sin now that they are followers of Christ. He is telling us that same message today.

The Christian life is a process that continually leads a person into a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When Jesus Christ becomes the Lord of our life, we find that our thoughts and attitudes make a dramatic change for the better.  We keep changing all the time as we continue to listen to God. Paul tells us to put off the “old person” as if it were an old suit of clothes and to put on the “new person” as if it were a new suit.

As you look over the past year, do you see a process of change for the better in your thoughts, actions and attitudes? Although change may seem slow to you, it comes about if you trust God to change you. The old person was a person who was responsive to thoughts, actions and attitudes of evil. The new person that you are in Christ should consider yourself dead and unresponsive to evil desires, sexual sin, impurity, lustful desires, and materialism.  We find through experience that this is never easy, so we must make a conscious, daily decision to live according to God’s values and to rely completely on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul appeals to the believers of all ages to uphold the commitment made in their baptism and urges them to remain true to their confession of faith. Guided by the Holy Spirit we have cast off the old life and put on the new life in Christ. This is what people see when they look at a Christian.  What do people see when they look at you?

 

JOHN 6:24-35

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is very direct in his reply to the waiting crowd of people. He tells them that they were blessed to see how God’s grace enabled a large crowd to be fed with just a small amount of food. He goes on to tell them that their thoughts should be turned to God who did these great things, instead of just thinking about receiving more bread. He tells them not to spend so much time and energy getting food which perishes and instead strive for the food which lasts forever and gives eternal life.

Jesus is speaking about two kinds of hunger. There is a physical hunger which physical food can satisfy and a spiritual hunger which that food can never satisfy. He was pointing out to them that all they were really interested in was physical satisfaction. Jesus wanted them to be aware of the other hunger which can be satisfied only by him. There is the hunger for truth, and in him alone is the truth of God. There is the hunger for life, and in him alone is the abundant life. There is the hunger for love, and in him alone is the love that outlasts even death. We need to remember always that Christ alone can satisfy the hunger of the human heart and soul.

We are told in this scripture that God has set his seal on him and that seal of God is truth. The seal of God has been placed upon all who believe in Jesus Christ, and that seal of truth was placed there by the Holy Spirit. In the ancient world it was not the signature but the seal that gave anything its proper value. We know that the truth of God is the beginning, the middle and the end of life. That is why Jesus can satisfy the eternal hunger. He is sealed by God, he is God’s truth Incarnate, and it is God alone who can truly satisfy the hunger of the soul which he created.

 

Application

The first reading reveals that the spiritual response to stress is obedience to God. The second reading shows that what we believe is the way we live.  The Gospel shows that only Jesus can satisfy the eternal hunger.

This week, feed upon God’s Word when the hunger pains of temptation or stress attack you.  Remember, Jesus can satisfy your hunger through prayer, reading his Word, receiving the sacraments, and Christian fellowship.  Let him be the bread of life for you every day, and you will see a dramatic improvement in your spiritual and physical health.

Decimoséptimo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (25 de Julio) – Ciclo B

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El Pan de Vida Estudio de Biblia Católico

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

ANTES DE COMENZAR:

Ora y pidele a Dios que te hable a través de Su Espíritu Santo. “EL ESPIRITU SANTO INTERPRETE, QUE EL PADRE LES ENVIARA EN MI NOMBRE, LES VA A ENSEÑAR TODAS LAS COSAS Y LES RECORDARA TODAS MIS PALABRAS.”  (JUAN 14:26)

PRIMER DIA  Vuelve a leer las lecturas de la semana pasada.

1. ¿Cuál fue el mensaje qué recibiste de la homilia o de las lecturas que oiste en misa el domingo?

 

2. ¿De lo que aprendiste, qué escogiste para aplicar a tu vida esta semana?

 

 

SEGUNDO DIA LEE 2 REYES 4:42-44 PRIMERA LECTURA

(“Dáselos a la gente para que coma.”)

1. ¿Qué le trajeron al hombre de Dios? 2 Reyes 4:42

 

2. ¿Qué les dijo Eliseo que hicieran con lo que le trajeron? 2 Reyes 4:42

 

3. ¿Qué le dijo a Eliseo su sirviente? 2 Reyes 4:43

 

4. ¿Qué insistió Eliseo que hiciera su sirviente y por qué razón? 2 Reyes 4:43

 

5. ¿Qué dijo Jesús acerca de si mismo, qué debemos hacer para no tener jamás hambre o sed? Juan 6:35

 

6. ¿Qué dijo Jesús que es verdadera comida y verdadera bebida, y qué pasara a los que coman y bebande estas? Juan 6:55-56

 

7. ¿Qué paso a aquéllos que habían comido y quién dijo que esto pasaría? 2 Reyes 4:44

 

8. ¿Qué debemos hacer con nuestros sobrantes y por qué razón? 2 Corintios 8:14-15

 

9. ¿De qué no debemos preocuparnos y qué debemos buscar? Mateo 6:31-33

 

10. ¿Qué es lo que se pregunta en Mateo 6:26?

 

Personal – ¿Como puedes aumentar tu fe en Dios en lo que respecta al alimento?

 

 

TERCER DIA LEE EFESIOS 4:1-6  SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“Mantengan entre ustedes lazos de paz, y permanezcan unidos en el mismo espíritu.”)

1. ¿Qué dice Pablo que es él en el Señor, y de acuerdo con qué nos invita a vivir nuestra vida? Efesios 4:1

 

2. ¿Por el bien de quienes se hizo Pablo un prisionero de Jesucristo? Efesios 3:1

 

3. ¿Cómo debemos soportarnos unos a otros? Efesios 4:2

 

4. ¿Por qué debemos esforzarnos y cómo debemos hacer esto? Efesios 4:3

 

5. ¿En qué nos afianzamos juntos? Colosenses 2:2

 

6. ¿De que hay sólo uno, y a qué somos todos llamados? Efesios 4:4-5

 

7. ¿Dónde ponemos nuestra esperanza?  Salmo 119:114

 

8. ¿Cómo conseguimos abundancia de esperanza? Romanos 15:13

 

9. ¿Dónde está el único Dios y Padre de todos? Efesios 4:6

 

10. ¿De quién son todas las cosas, por quién, y a través de quién; y a quién se dará toda la gloria? Romanos 11:36

 

Personal – ¿De qué forma podemos hacernos uno dentro de nuestra familia, amigos e iglesia? Refiriéndose en Efesios 4:2, ve cómo podrías aplicar esto específicamente donde hay desunión.

 

 

CUARTO DIA LEE JUAN 6:1-15 EVANGELIO

(“Recojan los pedazos que sobran para que no se pierda nada.”)

1. ¿Por qué seguía a Jesús una larga muchedumbre y dónde fue Jesús? Juan 6:1-3

 

2. ¿Qué preguntó Jesús a Pedro, y porqué se lo preguntó? Juan 6:4-6

 

3. ¿Cuál fue la respuesta de Felipe, y qué le dijo Andrés a él? Juan 6:7-9

 

4. ¿Qué pidió Jesús a la gente que hiciera y cuántos hombres había allí? Juan 6:10

 

5. ¿Cuales son las dos cosas que Jesús hizo con los panes? Juan 6:11

 

Personal – ¿Cómo das gracias a Dios por el alimento que te proveé? ¿Cómo lo distribuyes a otros? ¿Qué haces con los sobrantes?

 

6. ¿Que pidió Jesús a sus discípulos que hicieran con los sobrantes, y por qué razón?   Juan 6:12-13

 

7. ¿Qué dijo la gente acerca de Jesús cuando vieron lo que El habia hecho?   Juan 6:14

 

8. ¿Por qué se retiró Jesús solo hacia la montaña? Juan 6:15

 

9. ¿Por qué razón no quería Jesús que lo hicieran rey? Juan 18:36

 

10. ¿Quién trató de tentar a Jesús con todos los reinos del mundo?  Mateo 4:8-9

 

Personal – ¿De qué manera han tratado otros de ponerte en una posición que tú sabes no es aquélla hacia la que Dios te está conduciendo? ¿Cómo has manejado esta situación?

 

 

QUINTO DIA LEE SALMO 145:10-11, 15-18

(“Las miradas de todos de ti esperan que les des a su tiempo su alimento.”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 145:10-11, 15-18.

¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor a través de este Salmo?

 

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria?

 

 

SEXTO DIA LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO

2 REYES 4:42-44

La lectura de hoy nos muestra que, como todos los profetas, Eliseo actuó sobre la palabra de Dios tan bien como la proclamó. Eliseo sabía bien que la cantidad de alimento que él tenia a mano no era suficiente para alimentar a tanta gente hambrienta. Su discípulo le dijo, con terminos inequívocos, que de ninguna manera esos cientos de hombres tendrían suficiente alimento. Eliseo usó la frase, “Porque así dice el Señor,” en el versículo 43, y ésta es la base de su confianza en la promesa de Dios omnipotente. Con fe permaneció fiel a la palabra de Dios y actuó sobre esta sagrada palabra.

Este entero pasaje pone de relieve la increíble esperanza y poder del cumplimiento de la palabra divina. Eliseo hace que su asistente lleve a cabo sus órdenes de alimentar al gentio hambriento, y por supuesto, no solamente hubo abundante para todos, sino que hubo aun sobras de comida para los pobres.

Un signo vital en el mensaje de hoy es la fe de Eliseo y la obediencia haciendo lo que Dios ordena. Eliseo fue un tremendo testigo para esa gente porque él obedeció a Dios y no tuvo miedo de lo que parecía una imposibilidad. Hoy debemos derivar fuerza del ejemplo de Eliseo y recordar que es el mismo amante y compasivo Dios quien quiere que seamos nutridos, sanos e íntegros. Como Eliseo, necesitamos ayudar a otros y con fe obedecer la sagrada palabra de Dios. No sólo seremos alimentados, sino que encontraremos que hay sobrantes para que nosotros alimentemos a otros en su santo nombre.

 

EFESIOS 4:1-6

Este pasaje nos revela que nuestra unidad es un signo sacramental de las bases de la iglesia. Es un “cuerpo-unico-espíritu-esperanza-Señor-fe-bautismo-padre” que nos hace a todos uno. Pablo nos dice que somos todos parte de un cuerpo y que se nos han dado muchos talentos y habilidades. También nos dice que la unidad no sucede de por si; todos debemos trabajar para ésta.

Pablo nos invita a vivir una vida digna del nombre “Cristiano.” Este nombre quiere decir perteneciente a Jesucristo. Perteneciente quiere decir asumir completamente el carácter de Cristo, el cual consiste en ser manso, paciente, comprensivo, clemente y pacifico. Cada día, por dondequiera que vayamos, la gente nos observa. ¿Pueden ellos ver a Cristo en nosotros? El mensaje de Pablo fue escrito en la prisión, y hoy él nos habla a todos los que estamos en cierta forma encerrados en diferentes clases de prisiones. El nos dice que no importa donde estamos o donde vamos, porque vamos como representantes de Cristo.

Sabemos que nadie llegará jamás a ser perfecto aquí en la tierra, así que debemos aceptarnos y amarnos unos a otros como Cristianos a pesar de las faltas de las otras personas. Debemos querer bien especialmente a nuestros prójimos creyentes. Necesitamos ser pacientes y gentiles con aquellos cuyas acciones nos disgustan. Es muy importante que no nos detengamos en las debilidades de esa persona. Mejor será que recemos por ella y pasemos algun tiempo juntos edificando confianza.

Hacia la unidad en Jesucristo es donde el Espiritu Santo nos quiere llevar, pero nosotros debemos querer ser llevados. Podemos hacer esto enfocándonos en la voluntad de Dios de que todos seamos uno en El. Podemos hacer esto amándonos unos a otros asi como Jesús nos ha amado. (Juan 13:34).

 

JUAN 6:1-15

Jesús nos muestra el amor y la generosidad del Padre en acción. El nos muestra que la milagrosa abundancia de alimento revela la abundancia de amor divino. Al ver a la muchedumbre, Jesús supo que El y sus discípulos no tendrían tiempo alguno para descanso y meditación. El vio cuan cansados y hambrientos estaban, y volviéndose hacia Felipe le preguntó si había algún lugar en la cercanía donde se pudiera comprar alimento. Felipe dio todas las razones correctas de porqué este pedido era imposible de llevar a cabo. Felipe miró lo que no se podia hacer y Jesús miró lo que se podía hacer.

Encontraron a un niño con unos pocos panes de cebada y algunas sardinas en escabeche. El pan de cebada era el pan mas barato y mirado por muchos con desdeño. El pan de cebada era el pan de los más pobres. Los pescados no eran mas grandes que las sardinas y habían sido preparados con vinagre para que no se echaran a perder. No había forma de transportar el pescado y mantenerlo en condiciones de ser consumido.

Jesús tomó esta humilde fuente de alimento y dio gracias a Su Padre por ello. El entonces bendijo el pan, lo partió y lo distribuyó. La muchedumbre fue satisfecha completamente y sobró suficiente para llevar a los pobres en el pueblo.

Hoy Jesús abraza a todos los vencidos, desechados, menospreciados, pecadores y nos sienta y alimenta con su cuerpo y sangre. El no nos da cebada; el nos da a Sí mismo, El se da a Sí mismo a todos los que se adelantan y dicen: “Tengo hambre y sed.” Su alimento para nosotros nos da fuerza y valentía para amar, para perdonar y para alimentar a Sus ovejas, y ellas están en nuestras familias, nuestras comunidades, nuestros paises y alrededor de todo el mundo.

Hoy Jesús nos dice que alimentemos a Sus pobres, tal como El dijo a Pedro (Juan 21:15-17). Hoy Jesús nos hace la misma pregunta que hizo a Pedro: “¿Me amas?” Se nos llama a hacer exactamente como Pedro hizo y esto es alimentar a Sus ovejas.

 

Aplicación

En la primer lectura Eliseo no sólo proclamó la Palabra de Dios, el también actuó sobre ésta. Vemos en la segunda lectura que la unidad no quiere decir uniformidad, quiere decir uno en Cristo. El Evangelio revela que debemos alimentar a otros con la Palabra de Dios y con nuestro amor.

Esta semana, sé una persona de acción y ve donde necesitas poner de lado pequeñas diferencias para alcanzar unidad en tu familia, con tus compañeros de trabajo, en tu escuela o en las actividades en tu parroquia. Recuerda, no podremos alimentar Sus ovejas si estamos demasiado ocupados en alimentarnos a nosotros mismos.

Lectio Divina – Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 25th) – Cycle B

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PURPOSE OF THIS SCRIPTURE READING – Develop a personal relationship with Jesus through the Word of God with the understanding that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of all Jesus said and did. Psalm 32:8 tells us, “I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you.”

  1. Say the opening prayer.
  2. Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you.
  3. Converse with Jesus, asking questions and listening to Him.

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

Father, I can’t understand Your Word without Your grace, I acknowledge my weakness so your power can reach perfection in me. Send Your Holy Spirit to remind, teach, and guide me to the Truth. May I share as soon as possible whatever You teach me. AMEN

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

John 6:1-15 – Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

 

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 25th) – Cycle B

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THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit.  “THE PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I TOLD YOU.”  (JOHN 14:26)

FIRST DAY  Reread last week’s readings.

1. What was a helpful or new thought from the readings or from the homily you heard on Sunday?

 

2. From what you learned, what personal application did you choose to apply to your life this week?

 

 

SECOND DAY READ 2 KINGS 4:42-44 FIRST READING

(“Give it to the people to eat,”)

l. What was brought to the man of God?  2 Kings 4:42

 

2. What did Elisha tell them to do with what they brought him? 2 Kings 4:42

 

3. What did Elisha’s servant say to him?  2 Kings 4:43

 

4. What did Elisha insist the servant do, and for what reason? 2 Kings 4:43

 

5. What did Jesus say about himself, and how does he say we will never hunger or thirst? John 6:35

 

6. What did Jesus say is true food and true drink, and what will happen to whoever eats and drinks this? John 6:55-56

 

7. What happened to those who had eaten, and who said this would happen? 2 Kings 4:44

 

8. What should we do with our surplus, and for what reason? 2 Corinthians 8:14-15

 

9. About what are we not to worry, and what are we to seek?  Matthew 6:31-33

 

10. What is the question asked in Matthew 6:26?

 

Personal  –  In what way can you increase your faith in God regarding food?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ EPHESIANS 4:1-6 SECOND READING

(“..striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.”)

1. What does Paul say he is in the Lord, and how is he urging us to live our life? Ephesians 4:1

 

2. For whose sake did Paul make himself a prisoner of Christ Jesus? Ephesians 3:1

 

3. How are we to bear with one another? Ephesians 4:2

 

4. For what are we to strive, and how are we to do it? Ephesians 4:3

 

5. What binds us together? Colossians 2:2

 

6. Of what is there only one, and to what were we all called? Ephesians 4:4-5

 

7. Where do we put our hope? Psalm 119:114

 

8. How do we abound in hope? Romans 15:13

 

9. Where is the one God and Father of all? Ephesians 4:6

 

10. From whom are all things, for whom, and through whom; and who is to be given glory?  Romans 11:36

 

Personal –  In what way can you become one within your family, friends and church?   Referring to Ephesians 4:2, see how you can specifically apply this where there is disunity.

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ JOHN 6:1-15 GOSPEL

(“Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”)

1. Why was a large crowd following Jesus, and where did Jesus go?   John 6:1-3

 

2. What question did Jesus ask Philip, and why did he ask him this?  John 6:4-6

 

3. What was Philip’s response, and what did Andrew say to him? John 6:7-9

 

4. What did Jesus have the people do, and how many men were there?   John 6:10

 

5. What two things did Jesus do with the loaves?  John 6:11

 

Personal  –  In what way do you give thanks for the food God has provided?  How do you distribute it to others?  What do you do with leftovers?

 

6. What did Jesus have his disciples do with the leftovers, and for what reason? John 6:12-13

 

7. What did the people say about Jesus when they saw what he had done?  John 6:14

 

8. Why did Jesus withdraw alone to the mountain?  John 6:15

 

9. For what reason did Jesus not want them to make him king? John 18:36

 

10. Who tried to tempt Jesus with all the kingdoms of the world? Matthew 4:8-9

 

Personal –  In what way have others tried to put you in a position that you know is not where God is leading you?  How have you dealt with this?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 145:10-11, 15-18

(“The eyes of all look hopefully to you, and you give them their food in due season.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 145:10-11, 15-18.

What is the Lord saying to you personally through the Psalm?

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

2 KINGS 4:42-44

Today’s reading shows us that, like all the prophets, Elisha acts out God’s word as well as he speaks it.  Elisha was well aware that the amount of food that he had on hand was not enough to feed the hungry crowd. His disciple told him in no uncertain terms that there was no way the crowd was going to be fed enough food. Elisha used the phrase, “For thus says the Lord,” in verse 43, and this is his basis for relying on the promises of almighty God. In faith he stood on the word of God and acted upon that holy word.

This entire passage emphasizes the incredible hope and power in the fulfillment of the divine word. Elisha had his assistant carry out his command and feed the hungry crowd, and sure enough, there was not only plenty for all, but there was even some food left over for the poor.

A vital sign in today’s message is the faith of Elisha and the obedience of doing what God commands. Elisha was a tremendous witness to that crowd because he obeyed God and was not afraid of what looked like an impossibility. Today we need to draw strength from Elisha’s example, and remember it is the same loving, compassionate God who wants us to be nourished and made whole and healthy. Like Elisha, we need to reach out and in faith obey God’s holy word. Not only will we be fed, but we will find that there will be leftovers for us to feed others in his holy name.

 

EPHESIANS 4:1-6

This passage reveals to us that our unity is a sacramental sign of the church’s foundations. The one Body-Spirit-Hope-Lord-Faith-Baptism-Father make us all one. Paul tells us that we are all parts of the one body, and we have been given many gifts and abilities.  He also tells us that unity does not just happen; we all have to work at it.

Paul challenges us to live worthy of the name “Christian.” This name means belonging to Jesus Christ. Belonging means taking on the whole character of Christ which consists of being gentle, patient, understanding, forgiving, and peaceful. Every day wherever we go, people are observing us. Can they see Christ in us?   Paul’s message was written in prison, and today he speaks to all of us who are in some ways locked up in different kinds of prisons.  He tells us that no matter where we are or where we go, we go as Christ’s representative.

We know that no one is ever going to be perfect here on earth, so we must accept and love one another as Christians in spite of other people’s faults. We need to be especially loving to fellow believers. We need to be patient and gentle with someone whose actions or personality annoys us. It is very important that we do not dwell on that person’s weakness. Rather we can pray for that person and spend some time together building trust.

Unity in Christ is where the Holy Spirit wants to lead us, but we have to be willing to be led. We can do that by focusing on God’s will that we all be one in him. We can do that by loving one another as Jesus has loved us  (John 13:34).

 

JOHN 6:1-15

Jesus shows us the Father’s love and generosity in action. He shows us that the miraculous abundance of food reveals the abundance of divine love. At the sight of the crowd, Jesus knew that he and his disciples were not going to have any time for rest and meditation. He saw how hungry and tired the crowd was and turned to Philip and asked whether there was any place nearby where food could be purchased. Philip gave all the correct reasons why this request was impossible to fill.  Philip looked at what could not be done and Jesus looked at what could be done.

A small boy was found with a few loaves of barley bread and a few pickled sardines. Barley bread was the cheapest of all bread and was held in contempt by many. Barley bread was the bread of the very poor. The fishes were no bigger than sardines and were pickled to keep them from spoiling. There was no other way to transport the fish and keep them in an eatable condition.

Jesus took this very humble source of food and gave thanks to his Father for it. He then blessed the bread, broke it and distributed it. The crowd was filled completely, and enough was left over to bring to the poor in town.

Today, Jesus takes all of the losers, rejects, outcasts, and sinners, and sets us down to feed us with his body and blood. He does not give us barley; he gives us himself, and he gives himself to all who come forward and say, “I hunger and thirst.” His food gives us the strength and courage to love, to  forgive and to feed his lambs. They are in our families, our communities, our countries and all around the world.

Today Jesus tells us to feed his poor, just like he told Peter (John 21:15-17).  Today Jesus asks us the same question he asked Peter, “Do you love me?”  We are called to do just as Peter did, and that is to feed his sheep.

 

Application

In the first reading Elisha not only spoke God’s Word, he also acted on it.  We see in the second reading that unity does not mean uniformity, it means One in Christ.  The Gospel reveals that we are to feed others with God’s Word and our love.

This week, be a person of action and see where you need to put aside petty differences to achieve unity in your family, with your co-workers, in your school and in your parish activities. Remember, we can not feed his sheep if we are too busy feeding ourselves.

Lectio Divina – Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 18th) – Cycle B

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PURPOSE OF THIS SCRIPTURE READING – Develop a personal relationship with Jesus through the Word of God with the understanding that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of all Jesus said and did. Psalm 32:8 tells us, “I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you.”

  1. Say the opening prayer.
  2. Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you.
  3. Converse with Jesus, asking questions and listening to Him.

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

Father, I can’t understand Your Word without Your grace, I acknowledge my weakness so your power can reach perfection in me. Send Your Holy Spirit to remind, teach, and guide me to the Truth. May I share as soon as possible whatever You teach me. AMEN

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

Mark 6:30-34 – The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.

When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?