11/08/2024
Sunday AUGUST 11, 2024
NATIONAL FAMILY WEEK BEGINS
Theme of the Sunday: THE WORD OF JESUS, BREAD OF LIFE.
We always seek life and the nourishment to preserve it. Manna, though a gift of God, was not capable of giving everlasting life to the people of Israel in the desert. In today’s gospel Jesus tells us that his humanity, weak and fragile as it is, is the true nourishment sent from heaven and capable of satisfying the need for a full life present in the heart of us all. The first reading shows us Elijah who longs to meet his God, the only reason for his existence. To reach him, he went on a long and risky journey with the power that he received from the bread sent from heaven. The second reading presents us with two lists, one of vices and the second of virtues and tells the difference between the life of those who feed on Christ, the bread of heaven, and those who reject him.
THE GLORIA (When indicated this hymn is either sung or said)
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you. We bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
-FIRST READING-
“He walked in the strength of that food to the mount of God.”
A reading from the first Book of Kings (1 Kings 19:4-8)
In those days: Elijah went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank, and lay down again. And the angel of the LORD came again a second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, else the journey will be too great for you.” And he arose, and ate and drank, and walked in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Psalm34:2-3.4-5.6-7.8-9 (R. 9a)
R/. Taste and see that the Lord is good!
I will bless the Lord at all times,
praise of him is always in my mouth.
In the Lord my soul shall make its boast;
the humble shall hear and be glad. R/.
Glorify the Lord with me;
together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
from all my terrors he set me free. R/.
R/. Taste and see that the Lord is good!
Look towards him and be radiant;
let your faces not be abashed.
This lowly one called; the Lord heard,
and rescued him from all his distress. R/.
The angel of the Lord is encamped
around those who fear him, to rescue them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Blessed the man who seeks refuge in him. R/.
-SECOND READING-
“Walk in love, just as Christ.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:30-5:2)
Brethren: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA John 6:51
Alleluia. I am the living bread which came down from heaven, says the Lord; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever. Alleluia.
-GOSPEL-
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 6:41-51)
At that time: The Jews murmured at Jesus, because he said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that any one has seen the Father except him who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
THE CREED (I Believe)
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Celebrant:
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the living bread that came down from heaven. Let us pray that we may always long for this bread and for a deeper appreciation of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
FOR THE LEADERS OF THE CHURCH: that they who serve as instruments of God’s blessings to humanity may, themselves, find strength in the breaking of the bread. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR ALL CHRISTIANS IN GOVERNMENT: that their decisions, words, and actions may be tools for combating selfishness, greed and corruption in our society. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE BURDENED WITH SORROWS AND DISAPPOINTMENT: that they may be encouraged and relieved by the charity of their brothers and sisters as they share in the one body of Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR GENUINE LOVE AND CARE IN OUR COMMUNITY: that God may fill our hearts with true love, so that letting go of grudges and hatred, we may worthily share in the one table of the Lord. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (the sick, church projects or other activities).
FOR THE DEAD, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OUR PARISH COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEMBERS: that they may find eternal rest with the Lord. Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray in silence for our private intentions.
Celebrant:
God our creator, you give us life through the Eucharist. Give heed to our prayers and teach us to be compassionate and kind to one another. Through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
TODAY'S REFLECTION
On this Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, the Church invites us to focus on Jesus who continues to draw us to himself so that we could be nourished and strengthened like Elijah in the desert. The First Reading is a sort of encouragement for us because many of us are in the same boat right now with Elijah. So, we can all identify with the prophet and his predicament. Unfortunately, the same Elijah who was courageous enough to face Ahab, suddenly became fearful and discouraged. However, when he thought that all hope was lost, God divinely intervened by feeding and strengthening him for his journey. In our Second Reading, Paul reminds us that as children of God, each one of us bears a mark of the Holy Spirit. Jesus draws us to Himself every day through the Eucharistic table in order to nourish and strengthen us for our journey.
There is no danger if our prayer is without words or reflection because the good success of prayer depends neither on words nor on study. It depends upon the simple raising of our minds to God, and the more simple and stripped of feeling it is, the surer it is.
Hold your eyes on God and leave the doing to Him. That is all the doing you have to worry about.
TODAY’S SAINT AND QUOTE: St Clare of Assisi – August 11th
Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL
It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God. - 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
-Pray against satanic domination and influence over the entertainment industry
-Pray for the conversion of artistes who promotes evil and immorality, that through them Christ should be made known.
-Pray as the Spirit directs you
Let Us Pray,
Dear Lord Jesus, I am very sorry for the number of times I have doubted Your reality in my life through my dispositions and my attitudes, please be merciful to me. Grant me the grace not to lose the sense of Your reality every moment of my life in the name of Jesus. Amen.
