Contacts & Publisher

Subscription Form

Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2009 /  We are sustained, nourished by the Bread of Life

by Fr. Richard C. Macey special to The Michigan Catholic
Published July 31, 2009

First Reading: 1 Kings 19:4-8

This is the final chapter of Elijah's story before the call of Elisha, his successor. Elijah had just vanquished the prophets of Baal and angered Jezebel, the foreign Queen of Israel. He is attempting to return to the roots of their faith at "the mountain of God, Horeb," where Moses received the tablets. Horeb is the preferred name for this mountain in the Book of Deuteronomy, rather than Mount Sinai.

He goes into the wilderness ("desert"), where the Hebrews were tested for 40 years before entering the Promised Land. Elijah will spend 40 days and 40 nights on his journey. Some commentators believe that the prophet is going there to renounce his vocation. However, Elijah will meet the Lord and be told to return to Israel.

Elijah expresses his disillusionment, despite the Lord's demonstration of power at the challenge by the prophets of Baal. He wishes to abandon even his own life! He lies down under a single broom tree, a shrub. It may enhance the image of his isolation.

God provides food in the wilderness for Elijah. He provided food and drink for the Hebrews during the Exodus. A couple of words connect this story with earlier activities of the prophet and the provision of God for him. God also provided "a hearth cake" and "a jug" (of oil, instead of water) earlier in the Elijah story. (See 1 Kings 17:2-6, 12,13,16.) The angel of the Lord was sent twice to the prophet to rouse him to continue the rest of his journey. The journey, which was mentioned by the angel, may include the return to Israel to fulfill his role as prophet to the leaders and people of the northern Kingdom of Israel.

Second Reading: Ephesians 4:30 - 5:2

Paul begins with a command: "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God...." Some people have combined this saying with others in the New Testament, e.g., Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:29, Luke 12:10, in order to propose an "unforgivable sin." This opinion is addressed in the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" (second edition, 1997), No. 1864: "There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept His mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit."

This command does not have a positive alternative, as does the following vices and alternative virtues in this passage. It may be the foundation for the advice, which is given in the letter. The Holy Spirit is the source of life, freedom, prophecy and truth. The response of the Christian in receiving this gift is joy. When grief removes joy, the foundation for all successive decisions is undermined. The vices and virtues are the practical expressions of this ultimate force in the life of the believer.

This is the only appearance of "imitators of God" in the Bible. It is probably equivalent to what follows: "live in love." Love is demonstrated in the "handing over" of Christ. Thus, the sacrificial offering becomes not just an empty ritual act, but a personal commitment to act on behalf of another.

Gospel: John 6:41-51

This selection is near the end of the Bread from Heaven discourse in the Gospel of John. The assertion by Jesus that "I am the (living) bread that came down from heaven" begins and ends this passage. There are many allusions and references to the exodus of the Jews from Egypt.

The murmuring of "the Jews" recalls the rebellion of the Hebrews in the wilderness during the Exodus (Exodus 1:24; 16:2,7; 17:3). Jesus also refers to the "manna in the desert," which sustained the Hebrews during their 40-year journey to the Promised Land. Bread/food is mentioned five times in these verses. The "bread of life ... the living bread" is contrasted with the manna, which could not prevent death. Also, this "bread" is offered "for the life of the world," not just a select group of people. There is a universal invitation, reflecting the later mission of the Church to the Gentile world.

More than once, I have witnessed that a personal connection among people is directly connected to their nourishment for life. One lady in the nursing home would not eat, no matter how much the attendants encouraged her. Only when her husband came to visit and fed her lunch did she eat ... everything on the plate! I have thought that a meal is much more than just putting food in the mouth in order to get into the stomach. It is a communal act.

I think about that when we celebrate the Eucharist together, especially with the small group that gathers at weekday morning Mass. A community is formed and consecrated along with the bread and wine. We pray over people who are diagnosed with cancer. We pray for those who are concerned over the welfare of their children, who are looking for jobs. The Body of Christ in each one of us creates a life, which we share.

Fr. Richard C. Macey is pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.