20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B - 19/8/2018 - Gospel: Jn 6: 51-59
The Word became flesh
After hearing that the crowd were asking for more sign. Jesus response was that they misunderstood the meaning of the miracle. They saw the physical result of the miracle but failed to see the spiritual aspect of the miracle Jesus intended to show them. The crowd expressed their misunderstanding over how Jesus could give his flesh for them to eat. In helping them to understand the sign Jesus tried to explain to them in several occasions that it was all relating to God's gift to the world and salvation for mankind. First, the sign was about God who gave the world his only Son to save the world.
Yes, it is my Father's will that whoever sees the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and that I shall raise him up on the last day v.40.
Second, the sign was on the person of Jesus who himself is the bread of life.
I am the bread of life. v.47
Third, the sign was explained in verse 51, it was now expanded with the specification of what kind of food and drink that Jesus had talked about when he mentioned about hunger or thirst no more.
Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life, and I shall raise him up on the last day v.54.
Chapter six of John's Gospel is all about God's gift for the world and about salvation for those who accept the teaching of Jesus. Eternal life is possible because "the word became flesh and dwell amongst us" 1:14. Eternal life is possible through Jesus and he alone had the power to give eternal life. This is done through his death and resurrection. We are drawing life from the life of Jesus by welcoming his teaching. The Eucharist is life-giving because it is Jesus who gives life. It is Jesus who gives life to those who eats his flesh and drinks his blood lives in him and he lives in that person v.56. The Eucharist draws us deeper into relationship with Jesus. The Eucharist is the centre of our faith. It nurtures our faith. It joins us to Jesus. It is the special food for our soul given to us from the Father. Refusing to accept the Eucharist means refusing to draw life and eternal life from Jesus. The choice is for each individual to response to the call from the Father: this is my Son, the beloved, listen to him'. Luke 9,35 Those who welcome Jesus will have life and eternal life; those who refuse Jesus will live a life of spiritual darkness with hunger and thirst. Welcoming Jesus into our lives means to participate into the heavenly wedding banquet- eating and drinking the body and blood Jesus.
Finally the sign Jesus meant explain in the feeding was nothing else but to recognize who Jesus was. Those who failed to see Jesus as the Saviour, the giver of life missed the sign and lived in darkness. We give thanks to God for giving his only Son, Jesus Christ for the world to save us from sins and offered salvation for those who follow his way, the way of love and charity.
Yes, it is my Father's will that whoever sees the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and that I shall raise him up on the last day v.40.
Second, the sign was on the person of Jesus who himself is the bread of life.
I am the bread of life. v.47
Third, the sign was explained in verse 51, it was now expanded with the specification of what kind of food and drink that Jesus had talked about when he mentioned about hunger or thirst no more.
Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life, and I shall raise him up on the last day v.54.
Chapter six of John's Gospel is all about God's gift for the world and about salvation for those who accept the teaching of Jesus. Eternal life is possible because "the word became flesh and dwell amongst us" 1:14. Eternal life is possible through Jesus and he alone had the power to give eternal life. This is done through his death and resurrection. We are drawing life from the life of Jesus by welcoming his teaching. The Eucharist is life-giving because it is Jesus who gives life. It is Jesus who gives life to those who eats his flesh and drinks his blood lives in him and he lives in that person v.56. The Eucharist draws us deeper into relationship with Jesus. The Eucharist is the centre of our faith. It nurtures our faith. It joins us to Jesus. It is the special food for our soul given to us from the Father. Refusing to accept the Eucharist means refusing to draw life and eternal life from Jesus. The choice is for each individual to response to the call from the Father: this is my Son, the beloved, listen to him'. Luke 9,35 Those who welcome Jesus will have life and eternal life; those who refuse Jesus will live a life of spiritual darkness with hunger and thirst. Welcoming Jesus into our lives means to participate into the heavenly wedding banquet- eating and drinking the body and blood Jesus.
Finally the sign Jesus meant explain in the feeding was nothing else but to recognize who Jesus was. Those who failed to see Jesus as the Saviour, the giver of life missed the sign and lived in darkness. We give thanks to God for giving his only Son, Jesus Christ for the world to save us from sins and offered salvation for those who follow his way, the way of love and charity.
Written by Fr Vũđình Tường
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
