Education in Faith

Gospel Reflection

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B

The crowd in this week’s Gospel shows faith in Jesus. They got into boats and travelled to find him. They called him Rabbi, meaning “Teacher.” But at the same time, they had some doubts. They wanted some sign from Jesus that would prove once and for all who he was and what he could do. Jesus tells them again that the sign they seek is in their midst, for he is the bread sent from heaven. He is the bread of life.

After the feeding of the multitudes, the disciples leave in a boat and Jesus follows them. The disciples are terrified by what they see. Jesus reassures them and rejoins them. In the Gospel, we learn that the crowds notice the departure of Jesus and his disciples and seek them out in Capernaum. In the dialogue that follows between Jesus and the crowds, Jesus unfolds for us the gift of himself that he gives in the Eucharist.

In today’s Gospel, there are four exchanges between Jesus and the crowd. In the first, the crowd, having followed Jesus to Capernaum, asks a very matter of fact question: “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus replies by naming their motivation in pursuing him. They have been fed. Jesus acknowledges this, yet challenges them to see beyond the fulfillment of their material needs. The crowds have followed Jesus because they have been fed. They ought to be seeking out Jesus because he can give them eternal life.

In the second dialogue, it seems that the crowd might be on their way to accepting Jesus and his mission. They ask: “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus replies that they must have faith in the one sent from God. But in the third dialogue, the crowd reveals their inability to see Jesus’ true identity. They ask Jesus for a sign so that they might know that Jesus is from God. How strange this sounds since Jesus has just fed more than 5000 people. What more is expected?

But the crowd cannot see beyond the surface of the sign. They show this in their interpretation of the sign that came from Moses. In their description, they identify Jesus with Moses, as if to say, as Moses gave the people manna in the desert, give us a sign so that we will know that you are from God. They are looking to identify a prophet without realizing that God is standing before them. Jesus corrects their misinterpretation, saying that the manna received by their ancestors came from God. As God fulfilled their ancestors’ needs in the desert, so God has provided them with food for eternal life. In the bread that they have received from Jesus, they have received physical nourishment and also spiritual nourishment. Jesus wants the crowd to see beyond the surface to the One who provides true nourishment.

In conclusion the dialogue reveals the crowd’s blindness. They ask for what Jesus has just told them they have found: “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus answers plainly that he himself is the Bread of Life they seek. Jesus himself is the Bread of Life who will satisfy every hunger and thirst. 

Discussion Starters

1. A person who is a sign of God’s presence to me is . . .
2. Someone I know who needs a sign of God’s presence is . . .
3. One way I can be a sign of God’s presence this week is . . .

Sacramental News 

Reconciliation for First Eucharist

THANK YOU

We would like to take the opportunity to thank Fr. Desmond and Fr. Anil for their unconditional support. 

Let us keep them in our thoughts and prayers for being available making the necessary adjustments to support our children in their faith journey and providing them with the Sacrament of Penance. 

A BIG thank you to our SFS kids who prepared and presented themselves so reverently and made their reconciliation on Thursday and Friday at school.

Sacrament Levy

Please remember to pay your sacramental levy of $15.

Place this amount in an envelope marked “Sacramental Levy – Eucharist” with your child’s name and HomeGroup.

The envelope can be handed in at the school office or in the ‘mail box’ in each space.

Photographs for the Sacrament of First Eucharist will take place in the Church foyer, please arrive on time for your photograph sessions.

12.45 pm for the 2pm Mass

2.45 pm for the 4pm Mass

There will be a special collection at both Masses

Confirmation

God Bless

Rozeta Ambrose

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au