HOMILY FOR THE 18TH SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR B:
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst” (John 6: 35). The liturgy of this Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B invites us not to focus more on the extraordinary activities of God in our lives so as not to miss the daily sustenance, protection and provision of God’s presence in our live.
In the first reading (Ex 16: 2-4, 12-15), not minding the grumbling of the entire Israelite community against Moses and Aaron, God provided “Manna’ – bread from heaven – and quail for them as they journeyed through the desert on their way to the Promised Land. How easily do we forget God’s goodness in our lives?
In the gospel (John 6: 24-35), we continue with the “Bread of Life” discourse. After being fed with the multiplication of loaves, the people come to Jesus expecting more signs, recalling how Moses provided bread in the desert. However, Jesus reminded them it was not Moses who gave their forefathers bread from heaven but God, and He (Jesus) is that real “Bread from heaven”.
Dear friends, often in life we are propelled and beclouded by our selfish desires in life to the extent we miss God’s daily communication of Himself to us. God is the producer and giver of the bread of life. “Bread”, that usual, ordinary, and daily supply of nourishment which keeps us going both physically, mentally, emotionally, and most importantly, spiritually. Do you seek Jesus who is the producer and giver of life sustenance or do you only seek that which He gives?
I pray as we journey in life today, we will not be like the Israelites of old nor the Jews of Jesus’ time, but as St. Paul admonishes, let us be renewed and put on new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth (Eph 4: 17, 20-24). May we recognize God in the daily happenings of our lives and as such, declare to the generations to come, the glorious deeds of the Lord and His strength (Ps 78). Have a Happy New Month and Nourishment-full Sunday!
- Fr. Francis Onwunali