My Deeper Hunger

    

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

04 August 2024

 

First Reading: Ex 16:2-4, 12-15

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54

Second Reading: Eph 4:17, 20-24

Gospel: Jn 6:24-35

 

Reflection

By: Theresa B. Manio

 

In the Gospel, Jesus invites us to look beyond our material needs and personal desires, prompting us to seek the spiritual nourishment that only He can provide. The crowd was focused on the miracle of the loaves and fishes, but Jesus taught them to something deeper and far greater: the bountiful providence that comes from trusting in Him. He wanted to give us something that will feed our hungry hearts and souls, not just our stomachs. 

I have read somewhere that we all have hearts that are hungry for something. In my Grade 12 class in Personal Development, I shared with my students that the class will mainly revolve around answering three fundamental questions: Who am I? Where do I fit? What am I here for? These questions of identity, belongingness, and purpose can also be thought of as our personal hunger. We can be hungry for acceptance, self-worth, words of affirmation, rest, hope, and many more.

As we grow, we will be in constant struggle to satisfy this hunger in ways that would give temporary or short-term relief, when will we say that I am already satisfied? We can be very efficient with our work, make ourselves busy in the Church, join every ministry there is, engage in activities that look “holy” from the outside but actually distracts us from filling the hunger inside.

I think the Gospel is trying to remind us that Jesus is the one who can really satisfy our deeper hunger. If we’re hungry for identity, Jesus gives us a new identity as children of God whom he loves and favors. If we’re hungry to belong, Jesus makes us feel that there will always be a community in the Church that will welcome us. If we’re hungry for purpose, Jesus calls us to be part of God’s mission by being his follower who gives light to others and nurtures others' light. 

In my teenage years up until becoming a young professional, my deeper hunger is security. I was always anxious that people I care so much about would leave me, perhaps get tired of me, or would find someone else better than me. To keep them in my life, I was in constant struggle to please them, held them tight, and became a toxic person for myself. It’s like I'm poisoning my own self trying to be the best for other people. This life was really tiring. Not until I have recognized the presence of Jesus in my life. During my younger years, I only prayed to God and sometimes acknowledged the Holy Spirit , since I had a traumatic experience as a child, I thought Jesus abandoned me. He allowed bad things to happen. It took a long while of prayer, retreats, doing the sacraments, reading and understanding the Bible, being vulnerable to spiritual mentors that I get to feel and understand Jesus' presence in my sufferings and struggles. Since then, I never let go once more. I take care of my relationship with Him. When we have found this Bread for ourselves, we can share it to others who are hungry for the goodness of God in their lives too. 

I invite you to listen to God's promises, in His Gospels and sacraments,  bring our hunger to God in prayer and keep pursuing the goodness of God in Jesus, the Bread of Life. Let’s not settle for crumbs when we are offered a bountiful feast. 

Prayer

Dear Lord,

In a world full of temporary solutions, give us the grace to seek for your presence in our lives. Cleanse our motivations that it is not just blessings we ask from you but nurturing a deeper and personal relationship with Jesus. May we allow you to be in our lives, to transform us, to purify our thoughts and actions so that we can answer your invitation to become bread ourselves, sharing ourselves with a hungry world. Amen.

The Bread of Life

Eighteenth Sunday in

Ordinary Time

01 August 2021 

 

First Reading: EX 16:2-4, 12-15

Responsorial Psalm: PS 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54

Second Reading: EPH 4:17, 20-24

Gospel: JN 6:24-35

 

Reflection

By: Gary Tulabut

 

In one article or another, I have shared about the time when I was a young 10-year-old apprentice of the Knights of the Blessed Sacrament. I remember vividly when we were asked by our elders in the group what our reason was for joining the organization of altar servers. Our answer, almost in unison was, "To serve Jesus." I know most of us do not really understood what those words really meant. In fact, some leaders in that meeting even asked us again, "Are you sure it's not about the girls?"

We might have different motives in serving, not only as little kids then but, even as grown ups. This is probably the reason why different strategies are still deployed just to attract attendees to, let's say, charismatic communities. Some are attracted to loud live-band-led worship accompanied by beautiful lights in an airconditioned hall. Some are attracted to the wonderful talks delivered by charismatic speakers. Some are looking for new acquaintances, or someone to share life stories with. Still, some would only attend because there is free food or unlimited coffee.

Today in the Gospel, Jesus said to the crowd that were following Him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw the signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal." (John 6:26-27)

The reasons that I enumerated above may seem to look like the food that perishes. But God sometimes may use them to lead us to the food that endures for eternal life.

 

Prayer

 

Holy Spirit, guide us to seek not only the food that perishes, but lead us to the Bread of Life. Amen.

 

 

Taking Part in the Banquet

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2 August 2020
First reading Isaiah 55:1-3

Thus says the Lord:
All you who are thirsty, come to the water!
You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat;
Come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk!
Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy?
Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me and listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant,
the benefits assured to David.

Second reading                                                          Romans 8:35-39

Brothers and sisters:
What will separate us from the love of Christ?
Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?
No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly
through him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities,
nor present things, nor future things,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor any other creature will be able to separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gospel                                                                          Matthew 14:13-21

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick.

When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves. ” Jesus said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves. ” But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here. ” Then he said, “Bring them here to me, ” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass.

Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over — twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

Reflection

By Bernard M. Borja

Do you remember the last time you dined at an all-you-can-eat buffet? So many food cooked in different varieties and served to fully satisfy your hunger. It’s even better if you were invited to take part in a celebration which is free of charge. Much better if your loved ones are dining with you in such festivity. Sometimes, you tend to get a little of each so that you can taste almost all of the food being served. But after being full and satisfied, still there are more food ready to be served for more guests.

Somehow, a buffet restaurant can give us a glimpse of how abundant God’s banquet is. Overflowing food, joyful celebrations, bottomless drinks, and diners are treated as special guests. But God’s banquet is far beyond these things that can only satisfy our human desires. Our hunger and thirst drives us to seek for things that will satisfy us. Even more when we need to provide for our loved ones. We do everything that we can to put food on the table. But there are times that earthly food is not enough to nourish us. We also need the nourishment for our soul through Christ that will not only satisfy our human hunger, but also our deepest desires.

In our readings today, God reminds us four things - 1. An invitation to His abundant feast, 2.

Such a feast that will satisfy all our hunger and deepest desires, 3. That nothing can ever

abandon us from being invited by God, and 4. To share the graces to others as a response to God’s invitation. But as I reflect on these, questions arise in my heart as my hunger and thirst go deeper.

My wife and I miss dining out with our loved ones. More so, we miss being invited, and being able to come, to celebrate special occasions with our families and friends. It has been more than six months since we were able to visit and share a meal with them. Like our longing to share joyfully with our loved ones, the hunger and thirst has deepened especially to respond to God’s invitation to celebrate with Him through the Holy Eucharist. We constantly participate in online Masses from different parishes for spiritual nourishment but I feel this is not enough. This made me ask constantly, “How can people be nourished well in these times? How can people respond to God’s invitation in the midst of this pandemic? How can we receive again these graces that we long for?”.

Many people today are struggling to believe and trust God. I remember a news story about a governor in a foreign country, who is an atheist, said that he did everything that he could to slow the spread of the virus. As some people praised God, this governor said that he was the one who did it, not God. I watched this news on social media and I came across a comment saying, “Praise God for He uses everyone as an instrument of His love. Even the non-believers.” This made me realize something about my perception of God’s invitation.

Maybe I’m forgetting that when Jesus saw the vast crowd, His heart was moved with pity. Maybe I’m forgetting what Jesus said to His disciples when they became concerned about the people’s food. Jesus said, “Give them some food yourselves.” And maybe I did not realize that Jesus broke the loaves first, gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowd. This pandemic continues to reveal to us our deepest longing and desires. But most of the time, we become too focused on ourselves. In our desire for survival, we have forgotten how we are invited to have compassion for others, to offer whatever we have, and to be ready to receive the multiplied graces and share it to the hungry. Today, people are not just hungry for earthly food, but they are also starving for peace. Jesus invites us to offer our selfish desires and let Him transform these into the grace that we seek. May it be the grace of an open heart to acknowledge and receive His inseparable love for us, or the grace of His peace to calm us and help us continue to trust in Him. I believe that in responding to Jesus’ invitation to share whatever graces that we have received, our deepest hunger and thirst are being satisfied. For this is what it really means to take part in the abundant banquet of God, which has more than enough for all to be nourished.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

We thank You for journeying with us during these difficult times when our hunger only

goes deeper everyday. As we offer our desire to take part in Your banquet, we also offer our

fears especially in this time of uncertainty. We pray for the grace of an open heart to receive the same peace that You gave to the disciples. So that we may be able to respond to Your invitation to offer what we have, and share the multiplied graces to those who are in most need of Your mercy and compassion.  Amen.

Bread, Not Cake

First Reading: Prv 9:1-6

Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven columns; she has dressed her meat, mixed her wine, yes, she has spread her table. She has sent out her maidens; she calls from the heights out over the city: " Let whoever is simple turn in here; To the one who lacks understanding, she says, Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed! Forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding."

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

Second Reading: Eph 5:15-20

Brothers and sisters:

Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies  debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

Gospel: Jn 6:51-58

Jesus said to the crowds: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."

Reflection

By Fidji Rivera-Sarmiento

I’m such a foodie. Plus, I associate great memories with gastronomic experiences. If it’s my Lola Bella’s birthday, we know food would be elegant. It would be in a fine dining restaurant, or at least catered. If it’s my Dad’s birthday, it would be an “inihaw” party with LOTS of fresh seafood they scoured early in the morning from Farmer’s in Cubao. If it’s time to meet up with high school friends, it would be a street food galore since it is reminiscent of our carefree days (well books and “isaw” days, if I may say). If the celebration is among women, you know there’ll be coffee and cakes. You know, I also mark my kids’ milestones with the food they tried. (B tried broccoli and he liked it. M tried bagoong and he had rashes all over. Oops. N tried mashed chayotes with fried Tilapia and her smile was superb!) Everything with food! I guess I am not alone in this, as every culture no matter where in the world, love food. This is basically why Jesus kept on comparing Himself to a bread, and even His blood to wine. Food and drink sustain our lives. Food is something we all need moment by moment. It is the number one basic need of every living organism. Jesus even taught us to say, “Give us this day our daily bread,” after praising and trusting God’s magnificence and power. Prayer

In the same way, Jesus is inviting us to depend on Him, and that His words become our sustenance. He has offered Himself to us so we can quench our thirsty spirit. He is the Bread who gives us eternal life. Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” It didn’t say delicious. The Lord’s words may be bitter for someone who would presently want what’s worldly. Iit may be sweet for someone who’s been in his lowest. Or sour and salty for the rest. But one thing’s for sure, seeking the Lord is the most beautiful experience our souls can have. Just like the bittergourd that’s horrendous for me, but does wonders for my blood as I am anemic. The Lord’s Words are the best nourishment for our spirits in order to survive the daily challenges of being human. This we can do by digesting the Scriptures daily. There’s a ton of Catholic Bible guide books, both printed and online, and surely it is not too late to try today. I heard someone before said that the Bible must be the bread on our plate, a staple for daily living, not just a cake that appears only during special occasions.

Now ask yourself:

1. How much have I really depended on God’s will? Have I prayed about my woes more than I’ve talked about them?

2. Have I been giving my soul some vitamins? I have a number of supplements for my body’s health, but what about my mind and spirit’s well-being?

3. Apart from good food, working out is part and parcel of a healthy body. Have I complained about a difficult situation, that I forget that the Lord is my Holy Instructor teaching my spirits some new moves for toning and definition?

Prayer

Jesus, Your body and blood are indeed good for our souls. Thank You for being present in the Eucharist to continuously nourish us all. Amen.

*Tip from a foodie: Love crispy fried/baked breading? (Like those of Chickenjoy and breaded fish fillet?) Let the coated meat, poultry, or seafood sit for at least 10 minutes (and by coat that could be your own rub with flour or your simple pantry breading). Don’t go dunking them into the oil right away. Try and taste the difference. Yes, no need for egg (that’s extra calories). Super crispy? Do double-dipping. Coat your meat/poultry/seafood with flour. Then dip it into your batter (flour, seasoning, baking powder, milk/water), then finally coat with your favorite bread crumbs (mine’s Italian bread crumbs, others use Lays chips, yum!)

Ignatian Spirituality

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
31 July 2011


We are God’s people, the sheep of his flock: come, let us worship him, alleluia.

First reading Isaiah 55:1-3
Thus says the Lord:
Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty;
though you have no money, come!
Buy corn without money, and eat,
and, at no cost, wine and milk.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
your wages on what fails to satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and you will have good things to eat
and rich food to enjoy.
Pay attention, come to me;
listen, and your soul will live.
With you I will make an everlasting covenant
out of the favours promised to David.

Psalm: Psalm 144:8-9,15-18

Second reading Romans 8:35,37-39
Nothing can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us. For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gospel Matthew 14:13-21
When Jesus received the news of John’s death he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick.
When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they answered ‘All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.’ ‘Bring them here to me’ he said. He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full. Those who ate numbered about five thousand men, to say nothing of women and children.

Reflection
By Fely Santiago

There is no need for them to go away, give them some food yourselves.

Today, is the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, one of my favorite saints or I should say my very favorite saint. What a coincidence. I am molded into his Ignatian Spirituality of being “contemplatives in action,” of letting go and letting God, of totally surrendering to God’s will, of finding God in all things, in every moment, in every area of our lives. Ignatian spirituality is a spirituality for everyday life. It insists that God is present in our world and active in our lives. It is a pathway to deeper prayer, good decisions guided by keen discernment, and an active life of service to others. A focus on action is an important characteristic of Ignatian spirituality.

The Gospel today is a great manifestation of a life of service to others, of putting words into action, "give them some food yourselves”. We cannot be real Christians if we just pray and not being able to bless or serve others, whether they are Christians or not. And that’s basically how we live today. Our life right now is a life of service. Sharing the love of God. A mission to serve the people of God to bring the good news of God’s unconditional love for us.

It is also for this reason why we want to be Truly Rich. We want to be able to give some “food” ourselves to anyone, to anybody who comes to us for help. Be it a request for our time, our talent and most especially, our treasure or money. And it’s difficult to give what you don’t have. It is wanting to have money to be able to bless others but without being attached to it. That is being Truly Rich. Let’s be contented and grateful for what we have but we can’t stop there. We need to stretch our faith for others as well. When you have more than enough to give some “food” for others, that is when you’re walking in the fullness of God’s blessings. And you give Honor and Glory to the Source of all these blessings!

So starting today I encourage you to ask God to show you ways that you can be a blessing to someone else. Put actions behind your faith even if you start with something small. Don’t stop short of the fullness of His blessing. Reach out and help others and watch God increase you in every area of your life!

Take Lord, receive, all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my entire will.
All I have and hold You have given me. To You Lord, I return it, everything is Yours, do with it what You will.
Only Your love and Your grace, that is enough for me.(St. Ignatius Loyola, from The Spiritual Exercises)

Complete Nourishment

The Body and Blood of Christ
26 June 2011


Come, let us worship Christ, the bread of life.


First reading Deuteronomy 8:2-3,14-16 3
Moses said to the people: ‘Remember how the Lord your God led you for forty years in the wilderness, to humble you, to test you and know your inmost heart – whether you would keep his commandments or not. He humbled you, he made you feel hunger, he fed you with manna which neither you nor your fathers had known, to make you understand that man does not live on bread alone but that man lives on everything that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
‘Do not become proud of heart. Do not forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery: who guided you through this vast and dreadful wilderness, a land of fiery serpents, scorpions, thirst; who in this waterless place brought you water from the hardest rock; who in this wilderness fed you with manna that your fathers had not known.’

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 147:12-15,19-20

Second reading 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
The blessing-cup that we bless is a communion with the blood of Christ, and the bread that we break is a communion with the body of Christ. The fact that there is only one loaf means that, though there are many of us, we form a single body because we all have a share in this one loaf.

Gospel John 6:51-58
Jesus said to the Jews:
‘I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.
Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever;
and the bread that I shall give is my flesh,
for the life of the world.’
Then the Jews started arguing with one another: ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ they said. Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,
you will not have life in you.
Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood
has eternal life,
and I shall raise him up on the last day.
For my flesh is real food
and my blood is real drink.
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood
lives in me
and I live in him.
As I, who am sent by the living Father,
myself draw life from the Father,
so whoever eats me will draw life from me.
This is the bread come down from heaven;
not like the bread our ancestors ate:
they are dead,
but anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.’

Reflection
By Benj Santiago

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven”

One of my favorite family activities is going on an “eat-out”. We love to check out what’s new and good in a place, be it local or outside the country. We have not found anything yet that can sustain us for several days. We always end up eating our five (5) meals a day. The Israelites during the 40 years they were in the desert, did not have the same luxury as we now experience. They cannot order their pack lunch, nor do they have the luxury of planting, harvesting, and growing what they need for their daily sustenance. At one point, they complained to Moses that they want to return to Egypt and be slaves rather than be free and die of hunger. They asked for food to sustain them. Moses admonished them by saying “that not by bread alone does man lives, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Dt 8:3). Now, what really sustain us? What food do we crave for? The Pharisees were completely baffled when they heard Jesus say that “I am the living bread that came down from heaven, whoever eats this bread will live forever. And the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (Jn 6: 51). In the last supper before Jesus offered His life on the cross, Jesus left us a wonderful celebration in which we can eat the food that sustain our souls. This is the Holy Eucharist which is continuously celebrated everyday in all churches around the world. And we love to partake in this Holy Meal, where we fully believe that we do receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the form of the bread and wine. We are completely nourished, body, heart, and soul. Truly, Jesus was the Word made flesh. And do understand that it is not just by believing in Him and living what He preached and commanded to all of usshall we inherit eternal life. It is also by eating His flesh and drinking His blood.

Lord, transform me to be more like You through Your Holy Eucharist, so that like You, I may be able to transform other people’s lives. In Jesus' name. Amen

Celebrate the Holy Eucharist constantly!