18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time are:

1. Exodus 16: 2-4, 12-15
2. Psalms 78: 3-4, 23-24, 25, 54
3. Ephesians 4: 17, 20-24
4. John 6: 24-35

• The anxiety of it all
• Not knowing where your next meal will come from is a serious challenge.  Those who live with such "food insecurity" for very long learn never to take food for granted, never to leave any behind.  But food, shelter, clothing are only our most basic needs.
• Think of a time when you felt insecure about something.  Maybe your job was threatened, or an important relationship was at risk, or an investment of some sort was imperiled.
• How did that make you feel?
• What was your prayer during that season in your life?
• How did that change you?

• Thanks for teaching me trust
• The manna from heaven came with some strings attached.  You could not hoard it.  You could not gather it on the Sabbath.  It literally was "daily bread".  Trusting God is never easy.  Part of it might be that there's nothing that we can do to God if He proves to be untrustworthy.
• What are some of the things that you trust to God?
• How far would you trust Him in those areas?
• Why is that so?  What has God done to prove Himself to you?
• What would He have to do to make you trust Him more?

• Revelation
• Jesus tells us that He is the physical revelation of God the Father.  That implies that gazing on Jesus will tell us everything that we need to know about God the Father.
• How do you do your "gazing"?
• How often do you contemplate Jesus?
• What has He revealed to you of the Father?
• What more revelation would you like?

• Gateway to all my needs
• It sounds as though Jesus lost His patience with the crowds because they appeared to be content with one feeding after another.  Much like the woman at the well, (John 1: 1-45), Jesus tries to inspire His followers to think bigger, deeper.
• What are some of your deepest needs?
• How do you suppose you got those?
• What does that tell you about Jesus?
• Do you see any evidence of Jesus meeting those needs?
• Why?

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Where is God looking for me to pray about my worries?
2. Where is God calling me to learn more trust?
3. How can I get to know Jesus better?
4. Am I willing to trust Jesus with my deepest needs?

Shalom!