21st Sunday - B (August 26, 2012)

Readings

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20th Sunday - B

Commentary

John 6: 51-58

Food of Eternal Life

Most scholars today agree that the Gospel According to John was written no earlier than the year 90 AD  [1]. That was at least 60 or even 70 years after the death of Jesus [2].

By this time, many of the first-hand witnesses, such as the Apostles, the disciples, and the devout women mentioned in the life of Jesus, had died.

For the Jewish people, they had also experienced the terrible destruction of their nation and the Temple.  Many Jews died in the tragic events in the year 70.

To both the writer and the community the Gospel of John, these events of the destruction of Jerusalem and the death of the first generation of Christians must have been very real.

To them, the words of Jesus must have been both an affirmation and a profession of faith.  “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."

Do I accept these words of Jesus with the same conviction and faith?

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[1] .  Raymond Brown. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1990;  p. 949.

[2] . Francis J. Moloney, This is the Gospel of the Lord – Year B.  Homebush, NSW, Australia: St. Paul Publications, 1993; p. 175.  

20th Sunday - B (August 19, 2012)

Readings

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19th Sunday - B

Commentary

John 6: 41-51

The Father Draws All to the Son

As Jesus continues the teaching on his gift of the Bread of Life, he teaches us that our faith and knowledge of God are first and foremost the gift from God. 

We do not come up with our faith in God.  We do not invent the God who we believe in.  Nor is our God the product of our quest.  [1]

It is God reveals Himself to us.  And this revelation takes place in the coming of the Son among the human race.   And we now know that “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him.”

Moreover, there is no discrimination with God since “They shall be all taught by God.” 

Indeed, in Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, the Father draws us all to know and believe in Him.

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[1] Francis J. Moloney, This is the Gospel of the Lord – Year B.  Homebush, NSW, Australia: St. Paul Publications, 1993: p. 172.

19th Sunday - B (August 12, 2012)

Readings

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18th Sunday - B

Commentary
John 6: 24-35


Does God Fit My Mold?


John points out quite clearly that the people have their own ideas and expectations for Jesus.  It is also clear that Jesus does not fit their mold.


After witnessing and benefiting from Jesus' miraculous multiplication of the bread and fish (last week's Gospel reading), yet they ask him, "When did you get here?"  How could they ask such "a meaningless question"? [1]  It seems to show their limitations.  They cannot see beyond their horizons.


For them, Jesus is no more than a miracle worker or a magician.  Out of curiosity, they want to know him on their own terms.  


Worse, they want Jesus to fit their mold, "What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do?"  Haven't they witnessed his power already?  Yes, they have, but it's not their idea.


In the same manner, they want it their way, "Sir, give us this bread always."  They want more of the bread that they had so easily, without work.


Jesus, on the contrary, asks them to receive the bread from heaven, which involves "accomplishing the works of God."


Do I try to fit God in my mold?


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[1] Francis J. Moloney, This is the Gospel of the Lord - Year B.  Homebush, NSW, Australia: St. Paul Publications,1993; p. 170.

18th Sunday - B (August 5, 2012)

Readings

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