Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
                                                                 August 4, 2024
                                                                    Rev. Jose Maria Cortes, F.S.C.B.
                                                                                                                                                                                Pastor of the Church of St. Peter
                                                                                                                                                                                      North St. Paul, Minnesota

Index
Sunday Reading Meditations

"Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst" (Jn 6:35).

Today's first reading tells us that the Israelites in the desert were thirsty, hungry, and missed the hearty food they had left behind in Egypt.  Having quickly forgotten their extraordinary delivery from slavery and the crossing of the Red Sea, they had lost their trust in God and began grumbling against Moses and Aaron.

Like the People of God, we also have moments of dissatisfaction.  Sometimes we are not satisfied with our circumstances, jobs, families, money or, ultimately, with the lives we lead.

We need to reflect about why we are not satisfied.  We are not satisfied because we thirst and hunger for the infinite.  Other people and things cannot meet our spiritual needs.  Even if we possessed the entire world, it would not be enough.

The world tells ;us that if we are not satisfied with our jobs, partners or whatever, we should find new ones.  Nevertheless, after a while, our dissatisfaction invariably returns.

It is illusory to believe that our deepest aspirations can be fulfilled by earthly things.  The answer must come from above.

The readings tell us that God is the answer to our hunger.  God sent manna, heavenly food, to feed the Israelites.  In the Gospel, Jesus says that he is the bread of life, the one who has the answer to our deepest needs.

"Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."

While earthly food is necessary to sustain earthly life, it is perishable.  Only Christ can provide the eternal food that truly satisfies us.

Jesus is with us in the Eucharist.  He wants to be the food for our journey.  With his body and blood, with the Word proclaimed and the support of the community, he wants to satisfy our thirsty and hungry hearts.

May Jesus also satiate our souls.  Amen.