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18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 5, 2018

John 6, 24-35

The work of God, says John’s Gospel next week is that we believe in the one who was sent. That belief does not prompt us to look for more signs as it did those silly ones who argued with Jesus to get more bread. Rather, it prompts us to become a sign. It prompts us to live with trust in the promises God has made, and once and for all quiet and make still that nagging, fearful voice in us that sometimes gains control during this time of waiting between the promise and fulfillment. Remember the test in the desert. We are still in the desert, and God is still providing for us just as generously, and just as faithfully as before. At Mass we feed ourselves on the one great sign of promise; the sign of mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation. Our task is to manifest the effect of that sign. It is not for us, the physically well fed to suggest to the hungry that they not concern themselves with perishable food. Our task is to manifest the effect of feeding on the bread of life by feeding the hungry. Our task is to manifest the reconciling presence of God by forgiving and embracing those who are set apart, shut out, and hurt by our indifference. Our task, in short, is to become faithful, to live as though we had no visible means of support. Nothing less is at issue than to live with absolute trust in God and to risk being sustained by that which is not seen, and that which is beyond our control.

Fr. Tom Boyer