CRAVING SOMETHING MORE…
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Gather as a family/ community; create an environment appropriate for prayer (dress appropriately - switch off your phones...).
We cannot gather as usual for the Eucharist. But we are conscious that Christ is present not only in the Blessed Sacrament but also in the Scriptures and in our hearts. Even when we are on our own, we remain part of the Body of Christ.
Place lighted candles, a crucifix, and the Bible on a covered table. These remind us of the sacredness of our time of prayer and could help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.
You may sing or play an appropriate hymn. For instance:
The Sign of the Cross
Greeting and Introductory Words
L: The Lord invites us to the table of his Word: let us bless him for his goodness.
A: Blessed be God forever.
L: “Yeh Dil Maange” More is a phrase with which we’re familiar: the slogan coined for Pepsi in 1998. The slogan captures a human reality: the human heart desires and asks for more… constantly. The Word of God today reminds us that it is God alone who can satisfy this longing.
We pray that we may accept and believe this truth, allow God, in Jesus, to fulfil all our longings, and that we may be content with whatever we have.
Penitential Rite
L: For the times we have been discontent with our lot, for the times we have not sought God to fulfil our yearnings, we ask his mercy.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, you told the crowd searching for you
to work for the food that endures for eternal life:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you are the true bread from heaven that gives life to the word:
Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you are the Bread of life:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
Gloria
Opening Prayer
L: Lord, giver of lasting life,
satisfy our hunger through Christ,
the bread of life,
and quench our thirst with the gift of belief,
that we may no longer work for food that perishes,
but believe in the One whom you have sent,
our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
Readings
The readings are those assigned for the day in the Lectionary.
Preferably use a Bible/ Lectionary for reading.
Reading 1 Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15
Psalm Psalm 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54
Response The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
Reading 2 Ephesians 4:17, 20-24
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
One does not live on bread alone,
but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
Gospel John 6:24-35
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Imagine you are one of the crowd that “came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.” Why are you looking for him?
What are your thoughts and feelings when Jesus asks you to “work for food… that endures for eternal life”?
Sunday Snippets
The book Acres of Diamonds narrates the tale of Ali Hafed. Hafed, a wealthy Persian, owned a large farm with orchards, fields, and gardens. He had a lovely family and was a contented man.
Contented till an old priest told Hafed that if he had a diamond the size of his thumb, he could own a dozen farms. Hafed asked: “Where can I find these diamonds?” The priest said: “Search for a river that runs over white sands between high mountains. In those sands, you will find diamonds.”
Hafed went to bed discontented. Craving diamonds, he sold his land and travelled the world… till he became so broken and defeated that he committed suicide.
Sometime later, the man who purchased Hafed’s farm led his camel to the garden brook. As the camel drank, the man noticed a flash of light from the white sands of the brook. He dived into the brook and pulled out a glistening stone. He had discovered the diamond mines of Golconda.
Had Hafed remained at home and searched his own land, he would have had “acres of diamonds” instead of wretchedness and death in a strange land.
Whether fact or fiction, Hafed is a symbol of everyone who is discontent with what one has, who constantly seeks “something more”, a search which invariably/ inevitably leads to disappointment and frustration.
Hafed is a symbol of the Israelites during their journey to the Promised Land. In Egypt, they longed for freedom. In the desert, they yearned for food and water. When Yahweh provided them manna, quails, and water, they craved novelty. Israel’s story is a story of craving and dissatisfaction.
Hafed is a symbol of the crowds – in today’s Gospel – who “came… looking for Jesus” searching for bread to fill their hunger. Jesus led them gradually to the truth that their search would find fulfilment in him. Like their ancestors, they remained dissatisfied with what he offered them and sought something more.
Is Hafed a symbol of me? Am I content where I am and with whatever I have? Does my hunger for contentment and meaning find fulfilment in Jesus the Bread of Life or do I search for “diamonds” everywhere when the greatest treasure is with me?
May I realise and discover the “acres of diamonds” I have all around me.
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: The Israelites grumbled about the lack of food in the desert; they remembered the fleshpots of Egypt. How is my trust in God when he calls me to new journeys in my spiritual life? Do I crave the comfort of the past?
Reading 2: One translation has Paul calling the Ephesians to a spiritual revolution. If I were to have a spiritual revolution, what would go, what would stay, what would I add?
Gospel: “Our ancestors ate manna in the desert.” What is the food I need for my life’s journey? Why does Jesus come to us as bread or even as nourishment?
What can I do to accomplish the works of God? How can I discern the tasks to which God is calling me?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: We bring before the Lord the needs of his people and the hungers of the whole world, and pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Church: that we may find, in Christ, the fulfilment of the deepest hungers of our hearts and nourishment for our life’s journey, we pray…
R: For agencies of international aid and governments: that they may strive to alleviate the hunger and needs of the poor, refugees, and the victims of war, we pray…
R: For all who are experiencing the wilderness in their life: that they may encounter Christ in their loneliness, a new vision in times of confusion, and renewed energy when the path ahead seems endless, we pray…
R: For all who are suffering from natural and human-made disasters especially in Wayanad (Kerala, India): that God may provide hope and safety, food, clothing, and shelter, we pray…
R: For better stewardship of earth’s resources: that governments and businesses may recognize the impact of their practices upon the environment and work to promote good stewardship of the air, land, and water, we pray…
R: For ourselves: that we may appreciate all the blessings and opportunities that God has given us rather than complain about that which we do not possess, we pray…
L: Lord our God, be our strength on our daily journey. Open our minds and hearts to recognize the manna that you send into our lives and give us the courage to utilize it for all our commitments each day. Through Christ our Lord.
A: Amen.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
The Lord’s Prayer
Spiritual Communion
A: Jesus, I know and believe in your real presence in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. It is you I desire to love and receive above all things. As I am unable to receive your sacramental presence now, come and be with me in heart and soul. Let my entire self be united with you as I welcome you again and know your loving embrace. Amen.
Post Spiritual Communion Reflection
Lord,
you called your people out of Egypt.
They grumbled and yearned for the fleshpots of slavery.
You call me out of our cosy comfort
to feed the hungry, end discrimination, and fix the climate crisis.
I grumble and yearn for comfort.
Lord,
the people came seeking you to fill their physical hunger;
you told them to seek you, the true bread from heaven.
I seek you to satiate my many hungers.
Give me and us, this day, the bread that is you.
Fill my hungry heart and mind with your love.
May I never crave something more.
In all creation,
in searching, repairing, giving;
in every friendship, love, joy and grief,
in all that is difficult, challenging, beautiful and true,
you are with us always and everywhere, in everything.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: Our living God,
satisfy all our hungers
through your Son Jesus Christ,
our bread of life.
And when he has filled us with himself,
may he lead and strengthen us
to bring to a waiting world
the food of reconciliation and joy.
Through Christ our Lord.
A: Amen.
Blessing
L: The Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and lead us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
L: Go in the peace of Christ.
A: Thanks be to God.
Conclude with a hymn. For instance:
No comments:
Post a Comment