Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

The passage that we have as the gospel reading for today’s Eucharist is part of a larger section called the “bread of life” discourse in the gospel of John. The discourse begins with John 6:25 and ends with 6:71. First, let me provide a little context for today’s topic for reflection. The bread of life discourse follows the miracle of the multiplication of loaves. The crowds continue to follow Jesus after the miracle. Having fed them with physical bread, Jesus begins to talk about a different kind of bread – the bread of life. But in doing so, he stirs up a controversy. First, Jesus identifies himself as the as “bread from heaven.” Secondly, he claims that bread that he gives as superior to the bread the Moses provided in every way – the most significant difference being that the ones who ate the bread that Moses gave died but that those who ate the bread that he would give would never die. The people get very upset over Jesus’ claim.

In this context, Jesus said three things to the murmuring people. First, he said, “Stop murmuring.” (Jn 6:43) Second, he insisted that they “listen and learn from the Father.” (Jn 6:45) And third, he asks, “to simply believe so that they have eternal life.” (Jn 6:47)

There is a certain simplicity in the answer. Isn’t this the advice that we often give to our children? Stop whining! Just listen! and Watch this! This week let us do these three things. If our basic spirituality is a spirituality of constant asking and murmuring, if our spirituality does not include listening to God in prayer, if we are lacking in simple faith, then it is time to take the advice of Jesus seriously. Stop whining! Just listen! Simply believe!

- Fr. Satish Joseph