“Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”
Psalm 34
Readings
First Book of Kings 19:4-8
Ephesians 4:30 – 5:2
Gospel According to John 6:41-51
Reflection
by Sister Jane Hibbard, SNJM
I invite you to truly spend some time marinating in the readings for today. They invite us to use our five senses and experience how very close our God is and that God is always ready for more. So taste and see the goodness of the Lord!
Our God wants to feed us and if we are ready for the banquet of the food and love of God, we will experience the presence of God in everything. After the angel TOUCHES him, God tells Elijah: “Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long.” Be strengthened by the food that God gives. TASTE and SEE!
In the second reading we are given very specific directions for our way home!
“Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.” “Live in love as Christ has loved us.” And the Gospel invites us to stop murmuring among ourselves.
God’s promise in the Gospel is almost beyond imagining…..”I am the bread of life,” the living bread that comes down from heaven…bread for the journey, Eucharist for daily life. Do you remember the wonderful experience of your mother baking bread? First, the kneading of the dough, then watching and waiting while the yeast works and multiplies the dough, and the SMELL of the rising dough. God is ready and waiting to come to us every day as if we are dough rising, multiplying our efforts and loving the world through us.
Listen to these words in the quiet of your heart and find new ways to live in the love of the Lord. “Look to God, that you may be radiant with joy.” Psalm 34:6
From the Rule of St. Benedict
“What is more delightful than the voice of God calling to us? See how God’s love shows us the way of life.” Prologue 19-20
Gospel Acclamation
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven, say the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever.” John 6:51
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