On the Back Porch
Reading, pondering and studying God’s Word is sometimes best done “on the back porch.” Each week we will try to offer something for you and your “back porch time.”
18th Sunday, Year B
What We Celebrate
This week and for the following two weeks the gospels are taken from “The Bread of Life Discourse” of John 6. The miraculous feeding of the multitudes has already occurred, Jesus had already left the scene and now the people are following – but their motivations are not clear. Jesus challenges them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.” What will be their response?
There is a lot going on in this gospel. Take a moment “on the back porch” and find out more about this amazing Gospel.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary
The Feeding of the Five Thousand by William Hole (1846-1917) | Edinburgh University Library | PD-US
The Real Presence
Bishop Barron offers a reflection on the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist based on the “Bread of Life Discourse” from John 6. The focus of the reflection begins on how Jesus’ words would have been heard by the 1st century listeners – and explains how Jesus never intended mere symbolism alone, but points to the Real Presence.