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2015

Nineteeth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) – August 9

by Archbishop Joseph Harris
by Archbishop Joseph Harris

John 6:41-51

For a very long time, the Government, through the Ministry of Education, has emphasised a curriculum which deals principally with technology and business.

There have been many cries for a return to spirituality in our schools but unless the spiritual has pride of place in our thinking, the cries for a return to spirituality fall on deaf ears. The result, as we have seen, is an emphasis on the material, the making of money and the desire for comfort above all else. This has led to an uncontrolled desire to make money and to all kinds of white collar crimes and to violence. Our development as a nation has therefore been stunted because true development must take the spiritual side of humanity into account.

History has shown that while the material and measurable are indeed important in life, true development is something of the Spirit. History also teaches us that great civilisations collapsed when the Spirit was forgotten and we will suffer the same fate if the only criteria which we have are the material and measurable.

In the Gospel reading for this weekend Jesus tells his disciples, “Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.

The manna which the ancestors ate was material. It satisfied a physical need; it had no ability to satisfy the inner hunger. In the same way, the new hotels, the new industries, the revitalised skyline, the latest model cars have no ability to satisfy the inner hunger. They always leave us dissatisfied, wanting more and consuming more. They create the society which fosters the Enrons and insider trading, and the obscene display of wealth. “Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died.”
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The Gospel for this week, however, gives us hope. Jesus says to us, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.

The life of the world or of any country depends on certain important attitudes, attitudes fostered by belief in the values of Jesus, values like Justice, Compassion and Mercy. He is the bread which gives life to the world. Without the search for true justice, our world slips more and more into permanent confrontation between those who have the greatest material wealth and power and those who see themselves as exploited and it is in such a situation which followers of Jesus Christ find themselves, whether they are in the US or T&T, or the Caribbean. It is in this situation that followers of Jesus proclaim that Jesus and the message which he brings give life. It is only when those who call themselves followers of Jesus dedicate themselves to living the message in their homes and offices that society will begin to live the harmony which allows life as God meant it to be.

Today we thank God for those who bring renewed life to communities because they live the message of Jesus.

We thank God for missionaries throughout the world. We thank God for those who keep the message of Jesus before our eyes, both by the example of their lives and by their words. We thank God for those who nourish the spiritual, which gives life. We pray that wherever we find ourselves, be that place our home or workplaces, we will facilitate the harmony which allows true life to blossom.

LET US PRAY

All powerful and ever-loving God we thank you for the life given to us in your Son Jesus. We thank you for your disciples who continue to encourage life through adherence to the values which you propose. We thank you for your body and blood which give, support and encourage true life, life which lasts. Be with us as we struggle against the materialism which never satisfies. That only leads to death. Help us to value that which gives true life, life that lasts. We ask this through the intercession of Mary our Mother and your Son Jesus. Amen.

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