18th Sunday B

Welcome to ourWelcome to our
Bible StudyBible Study
1818thth
Sunday BSunday B
2 August 20152 August 2015
In preparation for this Sunday’s LiturgyIn preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharingAs aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

11stst
reading: Exodus 16:2-4.12-15reading: Exodus 16:2-4.12-15
• 2 The whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses
and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, "Would that we
had died at the LORD'S hand in the land of Egypt, as we
sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread! But you had
to lead us into this desert to make the whole community
die of famine!“ 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will now
rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people
are to go out and gather their daily portion; thus will I test
them, to see whether they follow my instructions or not.
• 12 "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them:
In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh, and in the
morning you shall have your fill of bread, so that you may
know that I, the LORD, am your God.“ 13 In the evening
quail came up and covered the camp. In the morning a dew
lay all about the camp. 14 and when the dew evaporated,
there on the surface of the desert were fine flakes like
hoarfrost on the ground. 15 On seeing it, the Israelites
asked one another, "What is this?" for they did not know
what it was. But Moses told them, "This is the bread which
the LORD has given you to eat.”
The focus is on the bread from heaven.

11stst
Complaints
2 The whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
3 The Israelites said to them, "Would that we had died at the
LORD'S hand in the land of Egypt, as we sat by our fleshpots and
ate our fill of bread! But you had to lead us into this desert to
make the whole community die of famine!“
God’s promise
• 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will now rain down bread from
heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather
their daily portion; thus will I test them, to see whether they
follow my instructions or not.
• 12 "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them: In the
evening twilight you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall
have your fill of bread, so that you may know that I, the LORD,
am your God.“
• 13 In the evening quail came up and covered the camp. In the
morning a dew lay all about the camp. 14 and when the dew
evaporated, there on the surface of the desert were fine flakes
like hoarfrost on the ground.
People’s reaction
• 15 On seeing it, the Israelites asked one another, "What is this?"
for they did not know what it was. But Moses told them, "This is
the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.”
A simple outline!

Textual Context ofTextual Context of Exodus 16:2-4.12-15Exodus 16:2-4.12-15
Part I 1,1—15,21 The Exodus from Egypt
Part II 15,22—18,27 Israel in the Desert
Part III 19,1—24,11 The Making of the Covenant
Part IV 24,12—31,18 Instructions for the Building of the
Sanctuary
Part V 32,1—34,35 Israel’s Apostasy and the Renewal of the
Covenant
Part VI35,1—40,38 The Execution of the Instructions for the
Building of the Sanctuary
Our text belongs to Part II of the Book of Exodus, which is also entitled as
Wilderness Wandering Traditions. It comes after the story of the Water of
Marah (15,22-27). It is found in section 16,1-36 on the Manna and Quails.
It is followed by the story of Water at Massah and Meribah (17,1-17).

11stst
Complaints
2 The whole Israelite community
grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
3 The Israelites said to them,
"Would that we had died at the
LORD'S hand in the land of Egypt, as
we sat by our fleshpots and ate our
fill of bread! But you had to lead us
into this desert to make the whole
community die of famine!“
God’s promises
• 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "I
will now rain down bread from
heaven for you. Each day the people
are to go out and gather their daily
portion; thus will I test them, to see
whether they follow my instructions
or not.
• 12 "I have heard the grumbling of
the Israelites. Tell them: In the
evening twilight you shall eat flesh,
and in the morning you shall have
your fill of bread, so that you may
know that I, the LORD, am your
God.“
Commentary
• V.2 talks about the complaint
of the Israelites, now in the
desert.
• In v.3 the Israelites would
have preferred to stay in
Egypt rather than in the
desert.
– There is so much food in
Egypt, but in the desert,
there is famine.
• For the people it was a big
mistake for Moses and Aaron
to lead them out of Egypt.
• In v.4, God immediately
makes a promise to Moses:
– To rain down bread from
heaven
• In v.4b and v.12, God gives
instructions to Moses for the
people to follow.
• No one should go back to
slavery in Egypt.

11stst
• 13 In the evening quail
came up and covered the
camp. In the morning a
dew lay all about the
camp. 14 and when the
dew evaporated, there on
the surface of the desert
were fine flakes like
hoarfrost on the ground.
People’s reaction
• 15 On seeing it, the
Israelites asked one
another, "What is this?" for
they did not know what it
was. But Moses told them,
"This is the bread which
the LORD has given you to
eat.”
• In vv.13 and 14, God
sends quails in the evening
and flakes (bread) in the
morning.
• In v.15, the Israelites
wonder what kind of food
it is.
• Manna means “what is it?”
• Moses identifies it as the
bread from God.

Reflections on the 1Reflections on the 1stst
readingreading
• Complaints abound, when there is lack of food or
material resources.
• We put the blame on our leaders.
• We forget that the journey from slavery to
freedom entails inconveniences, hunger, thirst,
and discomfort.
• To reach the promised land, we pass through a
big empty space, where only God’s power can be
invoked for our survival.
• God, as a liberator God, gives us only what is
basic in our journey.
• Going back or backsliding is ruled out.
• Are you willing to sacrifice to gain freedom?

Resp. Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54Resp. Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54
• Ps R. (24b) The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
• 3 What we have heard and know,
and what our fathers have declared to us,
4 We will declare to the generation to come
the glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength
and the wonders that he wrought.
• 23 He commanded the skies above
and opened the doors of heaven;
24 he rained manna upon them for food
and gave them heavenly bread.
• 25 Man ate the bread of angels,
food he sent them in abundance.
54 And he brought them to his holy land,
to the mountains his right hand had won.

Resp. Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54Resp. Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54
• Ps R. (24b) The Lord
gave them bread from
heaven.
• 3 What we have heard
and know, and what our
fathers have declared to
us, 4 We will declare to
the generation to come
the glorious deeds of the
LORD and his strength
and the wonders that he
wrought.
• 23 He commanded the
skies above and opened
the doors of heaven; 24
he rained manna upon
them for food
and gave them heavenly
bread.
Commentary
• The psalm is classified as
historical psalm. It recalls how
God gave food to his people in
the desert.
• V.3 refers to the Israelites’
oral traditions.
• In v.4, the psalmist promises
to communicate also to the
next generation what he has
received from the previous
generations.
• He will transmit to them the
glorious deeds of God (in
Exodus).
• Vv.23 and 24 recall the
imagery of Noah’s flood, but
this time the flood gates open
to rain down food.

• 25 Man ate the bread of
angels,
food he sent them in
abundance.
54 And he brought them
to his holy land,
to the mountains his
right hand had won.
• V.25 recalls the desert
experience, when the
Israelites ate manna. The
Psalmist adds “in abundance.”
• V.54 recalls how God brings
them to the promised land
(holy land).
• The land that the Israelites
occupy is not the coastlands,
but the mountainous regions.
• The psalm is a prayer that
recalls God’s dealings with the
Israelites in the desert.

Reflections on the PsalmReflections on the Psalm
• In our prayer, we remember God’s favors to us.
• It is impossible to pray without remembering
anything about God.
• We remember what strikes us most, usually the
extremes… extreme hunger or extreme joy…
• We celebrate God’s assistance in our journey to
freedom.

22ndnd
reading: Eph 4:17.20-24reading: Eph 4:17.20-24
• 17 I declare and testify in the Lord that you must
no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of
their minds; 20 That is not how you learned
Christ, 21 assuming that you have heard of him
and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, 22
that you should put away the old self of your
former way of life, corrupted through deceitful
desires, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your
minds, 24 and put on the new self, created in
God's way in righteousness and holiness of
truth.
The focus is on living a new life.

Textual Context of Eph 4:17.20-24Textual Context of Eph 4:17.20-24
OUTLINE
1. Opening Address (1:1-2)
2. Doctrinal Exposition (1:3-3:21)
A. Divine Origin of the Church (1:3-14)
B. Prayer for the Church (1:15-23)
C. Building Up the Church (2:1-22)
D. Mystery of the Church (3:1-13)
E. Prayer for the Church (3:14-21)
3. Moral Exhortation (4:1-6:20)
A. Unity of the Church (4:1-16)
B. Moral Maturity in the Church (4:17-5:20)
C. Household Life in the Church (5:21-6:9)
D. Spiritual Warfare in the Church (6:10-20)
4. Closing Farewell (6:21-24)

22ndnd
• 17 I declare and testify
in the Lord that you
must no longer live as
the Gentiles do, in the
futility of their minds;
20 That is not how you
learned Christ, 21
assuming that you
have heard of him and
were taught in him, as
truth is in Jesus, 22
that you should put
away the old self of
your former way of life,
corrupted through
deceitful desires, 23
and be renewed in the
spirit of your minds, 24
and put on the new
self, created in God's
way in righteousness
and holiness of truth.
Commentary
• Textual Context: Our text must be
seen against the background of the
moral exhortation of Paul(!) to the
Church.
• Historical Context: The Church, the
Christians were morally challenged by
their Gentile environment in the last
quarter of the first century AD.
• In v.17, the author (Paul!) highly
recommends that Christians stop
living like the Gentiles.
• In v.20, Christians are expected to
exhibit a different behavior, because
they have learned something different
from Christ.
• Vv.21-24 review what is heard and
learned from Christ:
– To let go of the old self (former life).
– The former life is the sinful life, life of
futility and false (worldly) values

22ndnd
• 17 I declare and testify
in the Lord that you
must no longer live as
the Gentiles do, in the
futility of their minds; 20
That is not how you
learned Christ, 21
assuming that you have
heard of him and were
taught in him, as truth is
in Jesus, 22 that you
should put away the old
self of your former way
of life, corrupted
through deceitful
desires, 23 and be
renewed in the spirit of
your minds, 24 and put
on the new self, created
in God's way in
righteousness and
holiness of truth.
• V.22 says the old self is the old
life, which is corrupted.
• Deceitful desires are our basic
instincts, our unbridled drives
and misplaced cravings, our
inordinate lust for anything.
• Vv.23-24 say the point in a
more positive way:
– Be renewed in the spirit
– Put on the new self

Reflections on the 2Reflections on the 2ndnd
readingreading
• Christian life is putting on a new self and
living a renewed life.
• Christian life is patterned after that of
Christ in which there is submission to the
will of God.
• Christian life is not governed by desires
and caprices and impulses, and false self.
• Are you living a new life?
• Or, are you still sitting in the dark?

Gospel: John 6:24-35Gospel: John 6:24-35
• 24 When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples
were there, they themselves got into boats and came to
Capernaum looking for Jesus. 25 And when they found him
across the sea they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you get
here?“ 26 Jesus answered them and said, "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. 27 Do not work for
food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life,
which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father,
God, has set his seal.“ 28 So they said to him, "What can we
do to accomplish the works of God?“ 29 Jesus answered and
said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the
one he sent.“ 30 So they said to him, "What sign can you do,
that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? 31 Our
ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: 'He gave
them bread from heaven to eat.'“ 32 So Jesus said to them,
"Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the
bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from
heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down
from heaven and gives life to the world.“ 34 So they said to
him, "Sir, give us this bread always.“ 35 Jesus said to them, "I
am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.
The focus is on the bread
of life.

Setting
• 24 When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his
disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and
came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
Question
• 25 And when they found him across the sea they said to
him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?“
Answer
• 26 Jesus answered them and said, "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. 27 Do
not work for food that perishes but for the food that
endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give
you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.“
Question
• 28 So they said to him, "What can we do to accomplish
the works of God?“
Answer
• 29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of
God, that you believe in the one he sent.“

Question
• 30 So they said to him, "What sign can you do, that we
may see and believe in you? What can you do? 31 Our
ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: 'He
gave them bread from heaven to eat.'“
Answer
• 32 So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it
was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my
Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the
bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and
gives life to the world.“
Question
• 34 So they said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always.“
Answer
• 35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever
comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in
me will never thirst.

Textual Context of John 6:24-35Textual Context of John 6:24-35
• Part One – Book of Signs (Jn 2-12)
• Part Two – Book of Glory (Jn 13-20)
Our passage is within the Discourse of the
Bread of Life. It comes after Jesus walks
on Water. The discourse on the Bread of
Life comes later (6,35-50).
The gospel was written in between 90-100
AD for the Johannine community.

Setting
• 24 When the crowd saw that
neither Jesus nor his disciples
were there, they themselves
got into boats and came to
Capernaum looking for Jesus.
Question
• 25 And when they found him
across the sea they said to him,
"Rabbi, when did you get here?“
Answer
• 26 Jesus answered them and
said, "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. 27 Do not work for
food that perishes but for the
food that endures for eternal
life, which the Son of Man will
give you. For on him the Father,
God, has set his seal.“
Commentary
• The people question, Jesus
answers.
• In v.24, the crowds look for
Jesus in Capernaum.
• Capernaum is a fishing
village, the town of Peter.
• In v.25, the people ask a
superficial question.
• In vv.26-27, Jesus answers.
• First, he reads their motive.
– They are after the
material food and they
want to repeat their
experience of being
satisfied.
• In v.27, Jesus exhorts the
people to seek spiritual food.

Question
• 28 So they said to
him, "What can we
do to accomplish
the works of God?“
Answer
• 29 Jesus answered
and said to them,
"This is the work
of God, that you
believe in the one
he sent.“
• In v.27, Jesus
exhorts the people
to seek spiritual
food.
• In v.28, the people
ask Jesus how to
please God.
• Jesus’ answer:
believe in Jesus,
the one God sent.

Question
• 30 So they said to him,
"What sign can you do,
that we may see and
believe in you? What
can you do? 31 Our
ancestors ate manna in
the desert, as it is
written: 'He gave them
bread from heaven to
eat.'“
Answer
• 32 So Jesus said to
them, "Amen, amen, I
say to you, it was not
Moses who gave the
bread from heaven; my
Father gives you the
true bread from
heaven. 33 For the
bread of God is that
which comes down from
heaven and gives life to
the world.“
• In v.30, the people ask
for a sign (miracle) so
that they may believe.
require from Jesus
something like manna in
the desert.
• In v.32, Jesus clarifies
that the manna comes
from Jesus’ father, not
from Moses.
• V.33 gives further
information on the bread
from heaven.
– It is the bread of God.
– It gives life to the world.

Question
• 34 So they said to
him, "Sir, give us
this bread always.“
Answer
• 35 Jesus said to
them, "I am the
bread of life;
whoever comes to
me will never
hunger, and
whoever believes in
me will never thirst.
demand for this bread,
that Jesus will always
give them this bread.
• In v.35, Jesus identifies
himself as the bread of
life.
• He who receives him will
never hunger and thirst.

Reflections on the gospel readingReflections on the gospel reading
• We should know what to ask from Jesus.
• Too bad that faith in him has been
trivialized.
• We ask from Jesus unnecessary things
(perishable things).
• We should ask for light, wisdom, patience,
etc. to get closer to him.
• Why should we not ask for ourselves and
for our loved ones the spiritual food?
• Meaning, we, as a family or community,
strive to receive holy communion every
Sunday worthily.

Tying the three readings and theTying the three readings and the
PsalmPsalm
• The first reading talks about the manna in the
desert.
• The psalm helps us recall how God has been
good to his people in the desert.
• The second reading highly exhorts us to put on a
new life in Christ.
• The gospel reading talks about the bread of life.

How to develop your homily/sharingHow to develop your homily/sharing
• While we fight for a just distribution of
goods so that all of us humans may have
our share, we must admit that deep within
us, we hunger for meaning.
• In addressing the Christians and those who
belong to other faiths, the late Pope John
Paul II, when he was in India, categorically
stated that only in Jesus can we find
meaning and fulfillment in life.
• We have to realize that each individual
longs for deep communion, where there is
respect, serenity, security and joy.

• The readings tell us some lessons on how to
be fulfilled in life.
• The first reading tells us that God is the
source of our survival and satisfaction.
• In our hunger and poverty, it is God who
ultimately intervenes in our lives, when we
are in dire need.
• Therefore, we must approach him in prayer.

• The psalmist acknowledges all the good
things God has done for his people,
including those who journeyed in the
desert.
• The psalmist uses the imagery of Noah’s
flood to describe how God has given to his
people the food they need.
• It comes like a flood from a flood gate.
• So they are flooded with food, not just
little food.

• The second reading exhorts all Christians
to live on a higher level.
• We are not supposed to be listening to our
caprices and whims.
• As Christians, we should not be governed
by our instincts and emotions.
• Instead, we should put on a new self that
conforms to the teachings of Christ.
• The new self resists against temptations to
seek inordinate pleasure at the expense of
decency and justice.

• In the gospel reading, Jesus is emphatic
on seeking the food that is imperishable,
meaning, spiritual food.
• We should not waste time and money
seeking the food that satisfies only our
taste buds and fills our already bloated
stomachs.
• God has given us enough material food.
• Now we must recognize that there is
another food, the one that gives us eternal
life.
• Catholic teaching tells us that this is none
other than the Eucharist.

• At present, more and more Catholics
understand the meaning of the Eucharist.
• They are trained how to receive
communion properly.
• They are going to church regularly.
• But, at the same time, we have to accept
that plenty of baptized Christians are un-
churched.
• There is no way they can receive holy
communion.
• Others are so busy with their work that
they have no more time to go to church.

• The Eucharist reminds us that there is
much more to life than competing for
material food.
• The Eucharist is the bread from heaven.
• For the firm believer, the Eucharist is the
food that satisfies the spirit.
• In the Eucharist, Jesus assures of eternal
life.

Our Context of Sin and GraceOur Context of Sin and Grace
• Materialism
• Always eating and
drinking
• Always looking for
a new eatery
• Consumerism
• False basis for
meaning and
happiness
• Transformed
• Sacramental life
• Lives in moderation
• Food production
• Spiritual values
• Christ-centered

Suggested songsSuggested songs
• Biyayang Mula sa Yo
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxbmC_LVJrQ
• New Life
• Look Beyond
• The Bread of Life

18th Sunday B

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18th Sunday B