1ST READING
It is easy to understand the discontent of the people, as we all know how loud a hungry stomach can growl. However, it is difficult to see how the Israelites can allow themselves to listen so easily to these cries when they have just been freed from slavery in Egypt. Even though they have not yet grown to know Moses very well, still the defeat of the most powerful army on earth must mean something.
Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15
2 The whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “Would that we had died at the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread! But you had to lead us into this desert to make the whole community die of famine!” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will now rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion; thus will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions or not. 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread, so that you may know that I, the Lord, am your God.” 13 In the evening quail came up and covered the camp. In the morning a dew lay all about the camp, 14 and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desert were fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground. 15 On seeing it, the Israelites asked one another, “What is this?” for they did not know what it was. But Moses told them, “This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat.”
P S A L M
Psalm 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54
R: The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
3 What we have heard and know, and what our fathers have declared to us, 4 we will declare to the generation to come the glorious deeds of the Lord and his strength and the wonders that he wrought. (R) 23 He commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven; 24 he rained manna upon them for food and gave them heavenly bread. (R) 25 Man ate the bread of angels, for he sent them in abundance. 54 And he brought them to his holy land, to the mountains his right hand had won. (R)
2ND READING
We have direction in our lives because we are disciples of Jesus. Our direction is to follow His will for our lives. Too many people today are only concerned about their own pleasure and self-interest. This is not the way of the Gospel. Let us all pray that we will develop wider interests other than our own selves and thus be more open to serving the Kingdom of God.
Ephesians 4:17, 20-24
17 Brothers and sisters: I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; 20 That is not how you learned Christ, 21 assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, 22 that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.
GOSPEL
Belief and trust in God’s goodness to us is fundamental to our identity as Christians. Jesus, help me to know the truth and let it set me free from the narrow confines of my own desires and self-interest. I want to be a better person; I want to learn how to love You and others more deeply. I know that it is only in You that I will discover true fulfillment; only You have the answers to the questions regarding the meaning of life.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
John 6:24-35
24 When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. 25 And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” 28 So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” 30 So they said to him, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? 31 Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” 32 So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
TODAY’S
BLESSING
LIST
think: Belief and trust in God’s goodness to us is fundamental to our identity as Christians.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Maccabees 13-14
SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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