Gospel Reflection

August 19, 2012

Sunday

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Greenbelt

First Reading:               Proverbs 9:1-6

Psalm:                         Psalm 34:2-7

Second Reading:          Ephesians 5:15-20

Gospel:                        John 6:51-58    

51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh." 52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" 53 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; 54 he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever."

HOMILY

Jesus offered His Body to us as our food for eternal life. What is the challenge for us, given that Jesus has given Himself as the Bread of Life? Father gives us 4 points/challenge.

First, accepting Jesus’s Body should make us grow into a DEEPER Closer Relationship with God. As we grow in intimacy with God, we should also develop good relations with each other.

Second, we should also GROW IN WISDOM. In my life, am I wiser and stand up for what is good, no matter what? Siyasatin daw natin – pagkatapos ko bang magmisa o manggaling sa simbahan, nag grow ba ako? Nagiging mas mabuti at maunawain ba ako sa aking kapwa?

Third, receiving Jesus’ Body means CONVERSION. We should open our hearts, turn away from our bad habits and attitudes, and change our ways. Nagbago na ba ang buhay natin tungo sa kabutihan o tayo ay nananatili pa rin sa ating maling ugali at ginagawa?

Fourth, receiving Jesus means being DEVOTED TO THE EUCHARIST. Tayo ba ay pinipilit pa para lang magsimba? Are we excited to go to mass and receive Holy Communion? Do we actively participate in the mass?

We should pray to God for the grace to grow in intimacy with God, grow in wisdom, have a change of heart, and be more devoted to the Eucharist, so that Jesus’ Body, the food of our soul, may nourish us with all grace and blessings.