The Catholic Parish of
Saint John Henry Newman

 Covering most of East Leeds

The Word This Week ~ 22 June 2014

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First Reading: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16

When times are good, our need of God is often smothered by our many comforts. While wandering in the desert, the Israelites were fed with manna from heaven, delivered from thirst with water from flint rock. God provided for them, not only by serving their physical needs, but by making them aware of their spiritual needs. The wilderness of our lives often brings our spiritual hunger into the harsh light of reality.


Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

The manna that was given to the Israelites satisfied their physical hunger. Out in the barren desert, the people of God began to yearn for him once more. The body and blood of Christ is an answer to that yearning. It brings us into communion with God and with others. We all partake of the one bread. We are each loved by the same God.


Gospel Reading: John 6:51-58

The words of Jesus by the lake, when he spoke about his body and blood as food and drink, disappointed many in the crowd who were listening to him. They had been amazed by his miracles, by his ability to feed so many from so little. Like the Israelites in the desert, they were captivated by a god who provides for their physical needs. When Jesus began to speak of the living bread, the bread of his flesh, he altered their focus. No Matter how full we become from the things of this world, death is our unavoidable end. It is only the things of heaven, the sacrifice of Christ, that can give what we really need to truly live.



Published Fri 20th Jun 2014 10:47:43

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