Homily for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time-Year B, 2024

Homily for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, 2024
Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15, 31a, Psalm 78:3-4bc, 23-24, 25, 54 (R. 24b), Ephesians 4:17, 20-24, John 6:24-35
Theme: Jesus, the Bread of Life
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today we reflect on the theme "Jesus, the Bread of Life," through our readings from Exodus, John, and Ephesians. These scriptures invite us to consider the spiritual nourishment that God provides and its transformative power in our lives.
In Exodus, we see the Israelites in the desert, grumbling over their hunger. God answers by sending manna, heavenly bread that sustains them physically and teaches them to trust in His daily provision. Some fail this test by hoarding manna, showing their lack of faith in God's care.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares Himself the true Bread of Life, offering eternal sustenance. Unlike the temporary manna, Jesus promises that those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst spiritually. He invites us into a deeper relationship that fulfills our soul's deepest longings.
St. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, urges us to abandon our old ways and embrace a new self, created in God's likeness. This transformation is possible through Jesus, the Bread of Life. When we embrace Jesus and His word, we are renewed in our minds and hearts, becoming new creations.
In our modern lives, we must ask ourselves: Are we truly relying on Jesus, the Bread of Life, to sustain us? Only Jesus can provide the lasting satisfaction we seek. Trusting in Him means seeking His presence daily through prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, where we encounter Him profoundly.
As we partake in the Eucharist, we receive not just physical bread but the living Christ, who transforms us from within. This transformation calls us to live as new people, reflecting God's love and grace in our interactions with others. Let us approach the altar with renewed faith and a deep desire for the Bread of Life, allowing Jesus to nourish and transform us. Amen.
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