I am the bread of life. (2.8.15)

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Welcome to a little liturgy.  This week we focus on bread.  We see the links between the Old and New Testament and consider our expectations about God.  
Summary of Liturgy of the Word

First Reading
Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15
The Israelites were hungry and complained to Moses.  They said he had led them into a wilderness with no food.  They even said that they would have been better as slaves back in Egypt.  The Lord said to Moses, "I will rain down bread for you from the heavens."
When they woke in the morning the Israelites saw a powdery substance on the ground.  Moses told them that it was the bread that the Lord had provided.

Psalm 77
The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

Second Reading
Ephesians 4:17, 20-24
St Paul warns us that we should not live aimless lives but should ignore false desires and listen to Christ.  He says that we should undergo a "spiritual revolution" and start a new life.

Gospel
John 6:24-35
Jesus tells us that we should not look for food that cannot last but work for food that will last for ever.    He says that just as Moses and his people received bread from heaven, we too can receive everlasting bread.
He then says, "I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst".

Discussion

Jesus says "I am the bread of life".  Bread is something crucial for most people.  He is saying that without him we cannot survive.  As Christians, we are hungry and thirsty, just like the Israelites in the desert.  They were released from slavery but freedom was not as easy as they had anticipated.   We were released from the slavery of death when Christ died for us but we do not always find this freedom easy or what we might have expected.

Activities

Make a list of all the different types of bread you have eaten this week.  Do a little research about how bread is made how different cultures and places have different bread according to their needs.  

Draw a storyboard of the Israelites complaining and then waking up to find manna on the ground.  Write in what they might have said to each other.

Jesus said "I am the bread of life."  Many people found this difficult to understand.  Look at the parts of the Mass that talk about bread and discuss what he means by this.  

Have a good week!

Maria