Homily - 21B Sunday homily (25 August 2024) We believe Jesus is the Bread of Life

 

21B, SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 6:60-69, AUGUST 25, 2024

1. STORY

There was a widow who could not read or write.  She brought up her only son who went to the USA to study and then worked there.  She complained to her neighbor that her son did not care for her and did not help her.  The neighbor noticed that the widow received a weekly letter from her son and asked her what the letters contained.  The widow responded that the letters contained some colored papers of men.  Thinking they were useless, she pasted them on the wall to cover over the cracks.  The neighbor asked to see them.  To her great surprise, she informed the widow that she had pasted US100 bills her son had sent on the walls of her house.  She had a very filial son, but she did not know this.  She had a great treasure which she did not appreciate.  Many people are like the widow.  They have Jesus and the Eucharist but do not appreciate him or his precious gift.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 6:60-69

A. SOME OF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE 

i) Jesus taught the people that his body and his blood were the bread of life which would give them eternal life.

ii) Many of the people did not accept this teaching and left him, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” 

B. WE HAVE COME TO BELIEVE 

i) Jesus asked the twelve apostles if they wanted to leave him.  “Do you also want to leave?”

ii. They believed in Jesus and followed him.  “You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe.”

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE

Here are three reasons why people do not believe.

i) To believe is a gift from God.  Jesus tells us, “No one can come to me unless it is granted him by my father.”  Faith is a gift. 

ii) Some people in need ask Jesus for help but do not receive help.  They conclude that either he is not interested in helping them or is not able to do so.  They leave Jesus. 

iii) Some people become too busy or are far more interested in money, pleasure, or power that they have no time for Jesus.  They forget about Jesus. 

B. THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS

We who are blessed with faith in Jesus and the Eucharist may do the following.

i) BE THANKFUL

Each day we should thank Jesus for the wonderful gifts of faith and the Eucharist.  We have done nothing to deserve such precious gifts. 

ii) BE WELCOMING

Receive the Eucharist at each Mass we attend.  Welcome Jesus into our hearts as we would welcome the Pope or our Bishop into our homes. 

iii) BE HIS DISCIPLES

Jesus gives us the bread of life so that we have the strength to follow his example.  Be kind, be helpful, and be encouraging towards others.  Share the good news that Jesus loves them.

 

4. CONCLUSION

The widow was not aware of her son’s love and help.  Many people are like the widow.  They are not aware of the love of Jesus or the precious gift of the Eucharist.  Some of those who followed Jesus did not accept the gift of the Eucharist and so left him.  The twelve apostles believed and followed Jesus.  We who believe in Jesus must be thankful, welcoming, and faithful disciples.  We thank Jesus for his love and his gifts.  We ask him to strengthen our faith.

Homily - 20B Sunday homily (18 August 2024) The Eucharist as the Bread of Life

 

20B, SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 6:51-58, AUGUST 18, 2024

1. STORY

John, a young soldier, was injured in battle.  His chances for recovery were very good.  However, there was one problem as he refused to eat.  His soldier friend visited him in the hospital and told the doctors he would not eat because he was homesick.  He suggested that they get his parents to visit him as a possible solution.  His friend was ordered to visit the parents and get them to come to visit their son.  As the father was about to leave home, his wife suggested he bring along a large loaf of homemade bread, a favorite of John’s.  At the hospital, the father told John that he had bought his mother’s homemade bread.  This made him happy; and from that point on, he began to eat.  Bread saved his life.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 6:51-58

A. I AM THE LIVING BREAD 

i) This bread is special as it comes from heaven.  It can’t be purchased nor can it be made at home.

ii) It is so special that it caused a quarrel among the people.  They asked, “How can he give us his flesh to eat?” 

B. WHOEVER EATS THIS BREAD WILL LIVE FOREVER

Jesus tells us two effects of eating this bread.

i) He remains in us and we remain in him.

ii) “I will raise him up on the last day.”  By this, Jesus means we will live forever.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. CHRIST PROVIDES US WITH SPIRITUAL FOOD.

i) Food is essential for our bodies and we must eat each day.  Without food, we would die of starvation.

ii) Spiritual food is essential for our souls.  Jesus provides us with this food in the Eucharist.  He is the only one who has the power to give it to us.  He makes it very easy for us to get this food.  We should receive the Eucharist each time we attend Mass. 

B. CHRIST GIVES US ETERNAL LIFE. 

i) The Eucharist gives us strength to resist the many temptations that are around us.

ii) The Eucharist gives us the strength to be Christ’s disciples, his friends, so that we can help others as he did.

iii) The Eucharist gives us eternal life, a life of happiness in heaven.

 

4. CONCLUSION

John, the wounded soldier, was saved by his mother’s homemade bread.  Jesus is the bread of life.  We are blessed by Jesus who provides us with this spiritual food.  The food gives us strength to resist temptations, the strength to be his followers, and to help others as he did.  This bread, the Eucharist, gives us eternal life.  Today we thank Jesus for giving us this wonderful gift.  We thank Jesus for making it so easy to receive the Eucharist.  We ask Jesus to strengthen our faith so as to receive this great gift each time we attend Mass.

Homily - 19B Sunday homily (11 August 2024) The Bread of Life as Jesus' teachings

 

19B SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 6:41-51, AUGUST 11, 2024

1. STORY
The famous St. Augustine (354-430), though he knew the truths of the Catholic Church, had a difficult time deciding whether to be baptized or not.  Finally, as his crisis became unbearable, he heard a voice speak to him, “Take and read.”  He was inspired to take up the bible where he found this text.  “Let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in lust and wantonness, not in quarrels and rivalries.  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:13-14).  At once the storm was stilled, and he resolved to be baptized.  He was taught by the scriptures.

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 6:41-51
A. I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE

When Jesus speaks about himself as being the bread of life, he has two meanings.

i) The bread, in this section of John, means his teachings.

ii) The bread also means the Eucharist as in the gospel for next week.

B. THEY SHALL BE TAUGHT BY GOD

God teaches us in two ways.

i) God teaches us through our hearts.  “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.”  If we leave ourselves open to God’s influence, he will draw us to Christ.

ii) God teaches us through Jesus. “I am the living bread that comes down from heaven.” This teaching that Christ gives us is powerful, nourishing, and sanctifying.  It is so powerful that it gives us eternal life.  “Whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A. JESUS IS THE GREAT TEACHER
i) Jesus is like light.  He helps us to see.  He tells us there is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  Without his help, we would never know this.

ii) Jesus teaches us love.  He gave his life for us.  This is the great sign of love, giving up one’s life for another.

iii) Jesus teaches us about life.  Life has a beginning and an end which is eternal life; that is, happiness forever with God.

B. WE ARE HIS STUDENTS

Jesus has come to teach us.

i) We must LISTEN carefully when we come to Mass.  There are many distractions like day dreaming, talking to others, or using your mobile phone.

ii) We must STUDY the bible.  We can join a bible class or have a bible with good notes.

iii) We must PUT INTO PRACTICE what we have learned.  Jesus is our model.  We pray for the grace to follow his good example.

4. CONCLUSION
When St. Augustine was deeply troubled and looking for a way to solve his problem, he found the answer in the bible.  Jesus taught us that he is the bread of life which means here his teachings, and live as he did.  He is our model.  We thank Jesus for being our teacher by teaching us priceless truths.  We ask him to help us to be good students, good disciples.