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.
