Gospel for August 1 2021 – John 6:24-35
Gospel Reflections for August 1 2021
You are what you eat.
Nutritionists have been making that claim for some time.
The food you eat every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and unfortunately all those snacks too) become part of your body. If you eat well, you give yourself a better chance at good health. If not …your body will tell you in uncomfortable ways that only gets worse with time.
Those diets are about what kind of food you take into yourself. Today’s Gospel offers a different “diet” for your soul that is just the opposite. It is the kind of “food” …that you give away!
While your body is nourished by the foods that you take in, your soul becomes healthy by what you give to others. You nourish those around you with your love.
There is another insight from this Gospel too. When the Israelites were wandering in the desert, food miraculously fell from Heaven for them to eat. However, it was only just enough food for each day. That is echoed in the Our Father, where we ask “Give us this day …our daily bread.”
Our Lord offers grace to you for your immediate circumstances and what you are facing in your life right now. After all, it is only right now that you can actually make decisions and direct your life one way or another. This is precisely the time you need God’s grace within you, not yesterday or tomorrow …but right now.
This parallels the way your body metabolizes food, which is also directed at your immediate needs, and the energy you need right now. However, If food energy is not used, say by inactivity, it is stored as fat. How much of that do you want!? Our bodies were designed to actively use our food for today’s mission from Our Lord.
God designed you to use the food you take in today to energize you …precisely to give of yourself in love to those around you.
There is no better “work” that you can do. The Eucharist is also your “daily bread” that helps you do this with God’s blessings. Don’t let this day slip by without using His grace for some good event.
You are what you eat, both from the regular food you take in and love that you give out to those around you. That is truly a balanced meal that produces great physical and spiritual health!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Well put in your words father Dave,
I know that my actions show to others who I am, so I need to pay closer attention in what is going on around and share with others not only my Faith in the Gospel but trying to do what Jesus would do in any circumstance.
The Holy Eucharist is the best food for our soul and body. so we should live and act like Jesus.
I think you understood the Gospel and the article well!
The words of this Gospel ring true the value of Eucharistic Celebration and consumptions of
The Body of Christ. Making this Our Daily Bread is good for Body and Soul. We are Blessed to have dedicated Men serving our Spiritual needs in Priestly vocations and should appreciate and pray for them. Thanks for all you are and do.
I appreciate your prayers!
Love your words, We become what we eat!!! Love receiving our precious Jesus and live His precious Love!!! for He lives i n us!! His loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee lives in us and we must share it with others!! Beautiful Jesus, beautiful life, beautiful you for giving us our precious Jesus!!!Stay well and safe for we all loveeeeee you!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
I love the image of Eucharist being our nourishment to do Gods will. What happens in the holy part of the mass is what God wants to do for us. So the loving response would be , to show in our kindness & love & patience to others. Our imitation of Christ.
So wonderful.
Jane
Yes, exactly. You understood the Gospel perfectly.