Get Back To The Journey
“Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!”
He got up, ate, and drank;
then strengthened by that food,
he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb. (1 Kgs 19:7-8)
The readings last week, this week, next week, and the week after that, all center around the Eucharistic Food that is Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament readings are about food as well.
Last week, the Old Testament recounted the story of how the Israelites received manna from the heavens so that they would have food while in exile in the desert. The Gospel began by recounting the time that Jesus told his followers that He was the bread that came down from heaven and that, if they ate that bread, they would live forever.
This week, the first reading is about the prophet Elijah who felt sorry for himself. He wanted to lie down and die. But the Lord sent an angel to feed him and give him strength to walk to the Lord’s mountain, Horeb.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is being questioned by the crowds: “Who does this man think he is. We know him…”
They did not want to believe that Jesus was the “bread come down from heaven.” In a couple of Sundays, we will hear that many in the crowd ultimately rejected him.
It all comes down to trust.
Elijah was challenged by the angel to trust God. He got up and went to Mount Horeb.
The crowds were challenged by Jesus to trust in Him.
Their reaction was much more mixed.
We are challenged to trust the Lord this day ourselves.
What will be your answer?
FAITH ACTION: Spend some time in quiet reflection this day. When you find yourself calm and centered, ask yourself the very hard question — and give a very honest answer — “Jesus, do I really trust you?” Ask God to help you deepen your trust in Him.