What signs are we looking for?

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Gospel reading today is like last week from John’s Gospel and is a continuation of the story of the feeding of the multitude where the sign that Jesus gave, was that he nourished the people not only with words but also physically with something substantial which they could touch, taste and fully understand. The crowd who had followed him were hungry for Jesus’ words and he offered them two types of bread to satisfy both their spiritual and their bodily hunger.

In today’s Gospel the crowds are still running after Jesus, looking for more. In the words which Jesus spoke to those who followed him, to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus unfolds the gift of himself (that which he gives to us in the Eucharist). Jesus knew that the people were just looking for more food to fill their stomachs but He challenges them to see beyond their material needs. I have something better for you. I have the kind of food that will give you not just physical, earthly life, but eternal life. The kind of hunger which Jesus is talking about, can affect all of us, it’s spiritual hunger and no physical food can satisfy. Dissatisfaction of spirit is often manifest in many different ways. Often we are in constant pursuit of the latest and newest electronic device such as a mobile phone or laptop or even a car. Haphazardly moving from one seemingly exciting option of life to another but never able to settle on anything that fully satisfies our inner hunger. Just as our body cannot survive without food, our soul cannot survive without spiritual nourishment which is Jesus himself, present in the Holy Eucharist.

Over the next three weeks the Gospel readings will focus on John chapter 6 and on Jesus’ discourse on the Bread of Life. Jesus wants us to see beyond the surface, to the one who provides true nourishment. When we receive the Eucharist we are receiving the source of eternal life which can truly make a difference to our spiritual lives. The crowds ask Jesus “to give them that bread always.” The Israelites in the time of Moses were given manna (miraculous bread) as they travelled through the desert. They were given just enough to satisfy their hunger for that day. If they kept any for the next day it would spoil with worms. The Jewish leaders in Jesus’ time also referred to the manna as spiritual bread, but Jesus overturned this traditional belief by saying that he Himself is the Bread of Life, the very Word of God made flesh, Jesus is now that precious life giving gift which satisfies the needs of our souls. The Israelites in the desert were required to trust God for manna, literally it was their daily bread. Jesus is inviting us as believers to put our full confidence in Him, trusting that He will provide wisdom that leads to true satisfaction. Jesus is the only way to the Father and this fills us with hope. Jesus the Bread of Life, fully satisfies our every hunger.

A reading from the Gospel of John (Jn 6: 24-35) 

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw 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.” 

So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God that you believe in the one he sent.” So they said to him, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:  He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”

So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it.
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel story is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and why?
  3. The Gospel reading speaks to our lives today. Jesus continually calls and invites us to be nourished by Him in the Eucharist. Perhaps we are like the Israelites who complained to God in the desert, but Jesus’ response is always one of love and blessings and the more we come to Him in the Sacrament of the Eucharist the more we will recognise this treasure and commit our lives to Him. 
  4. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1392) says, “What material food produces in our bodily life, Holy Communion wonderfully achieves in our spiritual life. Growth in Christian life needs the nourishment of Eucharistic Communion.” If something is keeping you from Eucharistic Communion try to find a solution through prayer and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Jesus is waiting for you.  
  5. Together with your family find the right time to read this Gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare;
    i. The Bible reading from St John (6: 24-35)
    ii. A candle
    iii. Cover the table with a green clot
    vi. A computer/laptop with the reading and clips
  6. Go through the steps with your children (2 age groups are being suggested)
  7. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  8. Be creative 😊
  9. Go to the Prayer Corner section to continue praying as a family

Last week, Jesus gave the people a sign to prove that He really is the Son of God, he fed 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. It was a miracle, which is a sign that Jesus was from God but the people wanted even more signs and proof.

  • Jesus really is sent from God.
  • Jesus gives Himself to us in the Eucharist 
  • Bread booklet template
  • Scissors
  • Stapler
TemplateDownload

We see signs all around us every day, such as road signs which tell us how fast to drive and point us in the right direction. Shop signs which tell us where we can buy certain products, such as the grocer, butcher and the pharmacy. We see signs which tell us what we should or should not do, such as ‘don’t drop litter’ and zebra crossings tell us where it is safe to cross the road. There are signs on packaging which tell us if we should recycle it or not. Some signs warn us of possible danger such as poisonous liquids like bleach.

The Gospel today is about a different kind of sign. Not one that we can touch but one that will prove to people that Jesus really came from God and that Jesus can give us special food for our souls. The food for our souls is Jesus Himself and we receive Him in Holy Communion. 

Jesus said to the people following him, “You came looking for me not because you saw God in my actions, but because I gave you bread to eat. Instead of looking for more food to fill your stomachs you should be seeking the gift of eternal life that I can give you.” The people told Jesus “show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? Moses gave the Israelites bread from heaven (it was called manna), to eat when they were in the wilderness. Can you do that?”

 The people wanted a sign from Jesus to prove that he was the Son of God, Jesus told them, “The true bread of God is the One who comes down from Heaven and gives life to the world.” Who do you think he was talking about? He was talking about Himself. He continued to tell them “I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Just like our bodies need food to stay alive, our souls need spiritual food, this is what we receive every time we take Holy Communion in the Sacrament of the Eucharist at mass. We can only be really satisfied when we have Jesus living in our hearts.

If you would like to make a small reminder of today’s Gospel message “Jesus is the Bread of Life” you can print the bread booklet template. Carefully cut out each of the bread-shaped pages. Then sort them into two piles, physical food and spiritual food. Next ask an adult to staple each pile, to make two separate booklets for you to keep. You can listen to this song whilst you make them; YOU ARE THE BREAD OF LIFE.

You can also try to follow the actions from the video! 

Sign of the cross.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Son Jesus, who is the Bread of Life. We don’t need a sign. We believe in Him, which means He gives us life forever with you in Heaven. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Last week we heard how Jesus fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two small fish, it was a miraculous sign and today the crowd ask Jesus for yet another sign as they were still not fully satisfied.

  • When we celebrate the Eucharist, we are offering God our thanks because He provides all our needs, both physical and spiritual.
  • Bread pattern template
  • Cardstock
  • Empty can (clean)
  • Strong Glue/ Colours
  • Scissors
TemplateDownload

We all know how important it is to try to lead a healthy life style, especially when we are young and our bodies are still growing. There are many needs which we require to be healthy and happy, such as drinking water instead of sugary, fizzy drinks and eating fruit and vegetables. Some of our most important physical needs are called “basic human needs” such as water, food, having somewhere to live and clothes to wear. Besides these we also have non-physical needs which might also be considered as “basic human needs.” Can you think of any examples of these needs? (Love, self-esteem, good relationships, friends and faith).

In today’s Gospel, we hear that the people are seeking out Jesus because he had fed them abundantly with five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus tells the people that God will provide a greater gift, one that will satisfy their spiritual needs. Jesus knows that the bread we eat each day is important to keep us strong and healthy, but he tells the people that he is offering much more than ordinary bread. He is offering them Himself- the Bread of Life. The people are not satisfied with the physical food Jesus gave them, they wanted more food. Jesus tells them that he can give them something even more important than food, he can give them the gift of eternal life. Would you like to receive this gift? This is the gift that Jesus has given to us in the Eucharist. Every time we celebrate the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist we receive this gift and it is important that we let Jesus know that we are willing to receive it.

 We offer our thanks to God who provides for all of our needs, our basic physical needs and our spiritual needs. 

Bread of Life Prayer Box

When we read the Word of God (in the Bible) we are also being fed spiritually. Maybe you can make a Bread of Life Prayer Box to store your favourite Bible verses and prayers.

Print out the bread pattern (you need 2 slices). Stick it onto strong card and when they are dry cut them out. Glue the slices onto both sides of the can using strong glue and leave it to dry. Write Bible memory verses from today’s Gospel or your own prayers on slips of paper and keep them in the Bread of Life Box, maybe chose one to pray before every meal. If you would like to memorise John 6:35 watch this video; I am the Bread of Life.

Sign of the cross.

O Sacrament most Holy,
O Sacrament Divine,
all praise and all thanksgiving,
be every moment Thine.

1. According to today's Gospel, when the people found Jesus after realizing that he was not on the boat, they asked him ...

Correct! Wrong!

2. Jesus told these people that they should struggle to get something. What did he tell them exactly?

Correct! Wrong!

3. The people asked Jesus what they should do to obey God. How did Jesus answer?

Correct! Wrong!

4. Who or what is the bread of life according to this gospel?

Correct! Wrong!

How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.