Look to your covenant, O Lord, and forget not the life of your poor ones for ever. Arise, O God, and defend your cause, and forget not the cries of those who seek you [Ent. Ant. (Psalm 73)]
The Gospel reading, today, continues Jesus’ ‘Bread of Life’ teaching, with the other readings telling of the goodness of God, coming in the form of nourishment for the journey.
In the First Reading we meet a frightened, tired, resigned Elijah. Having challenged Jezebel, King Ahab’s wife, for introducing pagan worship to Israel, he flees for his life. In his desolation, the Lord comes to Elijah’s aid, providing sustenance for the journey.
The Psalm (‘Taste and see that the Lord is good’) is a song of praise for God who is ever ready to hear and answer our calls.
St Paul (Second Reading) offers practical advice about living in harmony. This builds on his earlier teaching that Jews and pagans are to live in love, which is God’s eternal plan, fully revealed in Christ who loved to the end. For those tempted to abandon Jesus, John has Jesus countering some objections to following him.
Despite what they think they know about him, the Gospel shows that Jesus’ claim, as the bread of life offering eternal life, transcends their inherited traditions.
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