WSC Reflection Guide - 8/4/2024

JESUS IS OUR SPIRITUAL FOOD FOR ETERNAL LIFE...

Word Sharing Circle (WSC) Reflection Guide

August 4, 2024 (Cycle B, Yr. II) – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Community Word: Jesus, the Living Bread, nourishes and sustains our journey to eternal life.

Theme: We are nourished and sustained for eternal life when we truly believe in the words of Jesus.

Promise: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” (Jn 6:35)

Reflection:

After miraculously feeding the multitude, including five thousand men, people began to follow Jesus. Many of them craved the bread He had given them the day before. They were bewildered how Jesus produced such an abundance of food and they were curious to see if he could do it again. Although, a few may have perceived a different hunger in their soul that no quantity of food could satisfy, and they knew that Jesus could. When He noticed that many people were not interested in His teachings, and their motivation in following Him was materialistic and selfish, He told them, “Amen, amen I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled,” (Jn 6:26).

The world is full of “loaves” and food to eat. Yet far too many remain hungry, empty, and searching. Everyone is looking for something that will sustain and nourish life, fill and satisfy their hunger. Just like the people in the Gospel, many of us have concerns for our stomach. We are only after temporal and earthly satisfaction. But Jesus wants to give us more than these, He wants to feed us with His eternal words. He tells us, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life,” (Jn 6:27). The food that endures is Jesus Christ Himself. He is the Eternal Word.

In our daily life and as we walk in our journey of faith, we realize that our bodies are mortal and our days numbered. We recognize that eternity is beyond the grasp of our minds and discover that it could only be within our reach if we look toward Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life. He is the bread that is broken and distributed for the life of the world, eaten and yet never exhausted. He consecrates those who believe and consume Him. This is what the theme for this week tells us: We are nourished and sustained for eternal life when we truly believe in the words of Jesus.

When we listen to His voice and allow His words to inspire our lives, we see ourselves and each other as persons created in the image and likeness of God rather than as obstacles or issues to be overcome. We trust the silence of prayer rather than the words of argument. We choose love and forgiveness rather than anger and retribution. We relate with intimacy and vulnerability rather than triviality and defensiveness. We listen to God’s voice rather than to our own voice and the noise of the world.

Yes, a savory loaf can fill our physical hunger, but the Bread of life can satisfy our deepest yearnings. When wrecked by anxiety, He can produce in us a calm serenity. When carrying a burden of guilt, Jesus can ensure a liberating forgiveness. If weighed down by sadness, He gives us the Spirit of joy, and if we fear death we can receive hope of eternal life from Him. Jesus promises us freedom, peace, real happiness and contentment that surpasses all understanding, when He declares, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” (Jn 6:35)

Prayer:

Father God, You offer the true bread from heaven, which gives life to the world. By your grace, nourish and sustain your people with peace that comforts and joy that surprises, with love that inspires and hope that uplifts. Satisfy our hungry hearts so that we are renewed, restored, and ready to bear witness to Your son, who came that we might have life, and have it abundantly. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Jesus as the Bread of Life satisfy your spiritual hunger? What is your personal experience when you receive Him in Holy Communion?

2. What have you accomplished by being “bread of life” to others?

This Week's Daily Reading Guide:

Aug 4, 2024 (Sun) – Ex 16:2-4, 12-15/ Ps 78:3, 4, 23-25, 54/ Eph 4:17, 20-24/ Jn 6:24-35

Aug 5, 2024 (Mon) – Jer 28:1-17/ Ps 119:29, 43, 79, 80, 95, 102/ Mt 14:13:21

Aug 6, 2024 (Tue) – Dn 7:9-10, 13, 14/ Ps 97:1, 2, 5, 6, 9/ Mk 9:2-10

Aug 7, 2024 (Wed) – Jer 31:1-7/ Jer 31:10, 11-12, 13/ Mt 15:21-28

Aug 8, 2024 (Thu) – Jer 31:31-34/ Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19/ Mt 16:13-23

Aug 9, 2024 (Fri) – Na 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7/ Dt 32: 35-36, 39, 41/ Mt 16:24-28

Aug 10, 2024 (Sat) – 2 Cor 9:6-10/ Ps 112:1, 2, 5, 6, 7-9/ Jn 12:24-26

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”

Council of Servant Leaders

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Alfred S. Kudemus

CSL Secretariat

BLD Catholic Charismatic Covenant Community

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16