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 19th Sunday, Year B: Homily by Chima Isaac

Theme: The Eucharist: food for our life’s journey

Readings: 1kgs 19:4-8; Eph. 4:30-5:2; Jn. 6:41-51

On this nineteenth Sunday of ordinary time, Jesus, the bread of life, continues to draw us to himself in order to nourish and strengthen us on our life’s journey just as God drew Elijah into the desert in order to nourish and encourage him as he journeyed to seek His face.

The difficulties of this world often make some people to feel tired of this life, to think there is no reason to continue living, to feel that they are alone in their struggles, to feel that God doesn’t answers prayers anymore; they often make a whole lot of people to lose the hope of survival.  

The first reading presents us the story of Elijah who was in a similar situation with those who have lost the hope of survival in this world. Elijah was fleeing from death threats from the wife of King Ahab. On his way in the desert to seek God’s face, he suffered the heat of the sun and hunger. He wished he had died instead of facing such great suffering. This reading is very encouraging to all of us because many of us are facing various degrees of sufferings and extreme problems in their lives, in their relationships, in their families, and in their places of work. Some people have thought of giving up the hope of making it out alive. But then, what happened to Elijah has many lessons to teach us.

So, dear friends, we can all identify with the prophet and his predicament. When Elijah thought that all hope was lost, God divinely intervened by feeding and strengthening him for his journey. Are you thinking that all hope has been lost in your problems, difficulties or even sicknesses? We must learn to rest our expectations in God’s sovereignty, trusting in His time, in His Divine providence and protection. Also, another important and encouraging lesson here is that failure does not mean defeat, or an end to our life and journey. God is always by our side to pull us up in every failure, so that we can march on to victory.

The gospel presents us with a good news, it tells us that there is hope in Jesus, the bread of life, who draws us to himself every day in order to nourish and strengthen us for our life’s journey and for our daily activities, so that we will not be defeated by the harsh experiences or realities of life. He also strengthens and nourishes our soul on its journey to eternity, so that temptations will not defeat us. He said: “I am the bread of life ... I am the living bread which came from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.”

Dear friends, our life is a journey, a journey full of uncertainties. It is by partaking of the Eucharistic meal, which we celebrate in the Mass every now and then, that we are enabled to reach eternal life. Whoever stays away from the body and blood of Christ will lack the strength to confront temptations and other things that threaten our physical and spiritual welfare and existence. So, Jesus is inviting us to always partake of His body and blood so that we will see the face of God on the last day, just as Elijah received strength to see the face of God by eating the meal given to him by God.

In our second reading, St. Paul reminds us that as children of God, each one of us bears a mark of the Holy Spirit. This spirit is our guide, strength and companion on this Journey of life. So, we must trust and walk with him. Grieving the Spirit will make our journey difficult. If we trust and walk with him, he will lead us safely through the rough paths of life. He will lead us to Christ the living bread who nourishes and strengthens us along our journey.

What should we do to avoid grieving the Spirit of God in this our journey towards eternity? St Paul tells us what to do. He said: “Let all bitterness, indignation, anger, shouts and slanders disappear from you with all sorts of malice. Instead, be kind to one another, merciful, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. Make yourselves therefore imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love.” Dear friends, if we want the Holy Spirit to accompany us in this journey, we should live our lives according to these qualities mentioned by St Paul.

Partaking of the body and blood of Christ is a holy exercise. Thus, all who do this holy exercise should live a holy life, they should live according to the qualities recommended by St Paul in this second reading. When we live a holy life, this spiritual food will be a real strength for our journey. 

The psalmist of today gives us an invitation to the altar of God, saying: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Let us accept this invitation because Christ is really the bread of life that strengthens us daily.

Peace be with you, and have a blessed Sunday

Fr. Isaac C. Chima.