The Gospel according to John 6: 24-35

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Jesus challenges us to examine what is our deepest desire. For the food of the Word of God? For his Living Presence in the Eucharist? Or for ourself and things that will divert us and give us pleasure?

Our Christian faith underlines the fact that Jesus and his Word are the only way to happiness and the only way in which you and I can see him in others and work to change the world in which we live by giving it the care, vision and challenge that Our Lord wanted us to have.

As we call to mind our sins, let us ask that we will see God as our origin and guide through life’s journey.

My dear Brothers and Sisters,

The readings today give us a challenge to look beyond our earthly desires and wishes into the Word of God and the Eucharist as the basis of our whole Christian life.

Jesus gives us the ringing words that no one who comes to him shall ever be hungry and as followers of Jesus we are called to do the same.

When we come to the Eucharist, which is God’s food from heaven, we realise that this gives us a challenge to move beyond our own experience to really work for the welfare of others. Our material contributions through the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and others can make a great difference to alleviate hunger. The donations that we give to Caritas can have a similar function and help people in other countries to develop a capacity to overcome such hunger.

But there is other poverty; spiritual, lack of a family, lack of someone who loves us. Every one of us can work to overcome these things in home, in school, in workplace.

The challenge of the readings today is to bring us to the real meaning and power of the word of God and the Eucharist in human lives. Jesus says, “You are not looking for me because you have seen the signs, but because you had all the bread you wanted to eat. Do not work for food that cannot last, but work for food that endures to eternal life.”

As Catholics, we are called to see and go beyond our own personal needs and to realise the power of Jesus to strengthen us and the wonder of the journey along which he leads us. “No one lives on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

In the Prayer over the Gifts we ask that our giving of ourselves may be something that is constant in God’s presence. This means we have to realise the value we have in God’s eyes to recognise the gifts that we have and then to offer them in genuine service of others. This is the meaning of the Eucharist; to bring us to serve God’s people, strengthened and nourished by gifts that are beyond price. May it be so, now and always.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.

Source: Archbishop's Homily: Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time