The 17th Sunday of the Year
2 Kgs 4:42-44; Eph 4:1-6; Jn 6:1-15 (Year B)
Today, and over the coming weeks, the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel sets before us the revelation of Christ as the Bread of Life. This is a timely preparation for the National Eucharistic Congress which takes place in Liverpool at the beginning of September. Not everyone will be able to attend, but all are called to worship the Christ who stands in our midst as the living bread come down from heaven.
Hunger is the most instinctive expression of humanity’s longing for life. As the body craves food, so the spirit longs for love, healing and forgiveness. Throughout the Old Testament the God who feeds the hungry became a recurrent model of salvation: “The eyes of all creatures look to you, and you give them their food in due time. You open wide your hand, grant the desires of all who live.”
