Homily for Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 8th August, 2021

 Homily for Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time  Year B, 8th August, 2021.

Reading: 1Kings19:4-8; Ps. 34; Eph.4:30-5:2; John 6:41-51

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

EMBRACE JESUS THE BREAD OF LIFE AND YOUR SOUL WILL BE SATISFIED

What can ever satisfy the human hunger and thirst for peace, wholeness righteousness, love and joy? These are the things we search everyday of our lives. But we seem to have little or no answer. This is because we have often failed to listen to God’s words calling us and directing us towards the path of truth which he has revealed through his son our Lord Jesus Christ, who has been speaking to us in our Gospel since his resurrection. 

Thus, today Jesus continues with his teaching on the bread of life, he seeks to draw those who listened to him into a profound relationship with himself. He asks them to believe in his wonderful promises about eternal life. In the same way he invites us to partake in a life that is indestructible, to share in the very life of God. Jesus wants us to know that he is the food of our souls. Our souls are really starving due to sins, and indeed thirsty for holiness, love, peace and purity. In Jesus alone can staving and empty souls find their strength and satisfaction. For in him, there is fullness of life.

 

The fact remains that Jesus is the bread of life which came down from heaven. And he wants us to commit our souls into his hands, just like Elijah in our first reading, who when he almost gave up, the Lord sent his angel who came and touched him saying, ‘Get up and eat or the journey will be too long for you. So Elijah got up and ate and drank, and strengthened by that food he walked for forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. Thus, we must know that  whenever we experience anything of spiritual hunger and thirstiness, we must come to Jesus and be satisfied. 

Little wonder St. Paul in our second reading tells us to imitate God as children of his that he loves and follow Christ loving as he loved you, giving himself up in our place as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God. Therefore, we should never have grudges against others, or lose our temper, or raise our voice to anybody, or call each other names, or allow any sort of spitefulness. Rather, we should be friends with one another, and kind, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave us in Christ.

Dear friends, because of the ugly situation in our society today, we are weighed down by sorrows in conscience, staving in affections and love especially in this difficult moment in human history. But we are not to give up no matter the situation we are  facing right now, we must know that Jesus is always ready to relieve and restore us whenever we come to him in faith, for in him alone shall we find lasting satisfaction, peace and love both now and for eternity. For he is the Bread of Life and anyone who eats this bread will live for ever;

LET US PRAY: Lord God, often times we are thirsty and hungry down within our souls, as we listen to your words today, may we find that satisfactions which our souls so desired and by so doing fine eternal life. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Sunday and remain blessed.