Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

And They Were Hungry

Jesus works miracles and feeds the multitudes. But like all meals, the filling food was great while it lasted, and then they were hungry again. So they go in search of Jesus to give them yet more signs, more miracles. Jesus tells them that he will give them lasting bread, living bread. He tells them, “I am the bread of life.”

Last week when we sang, “I Am the Bread of Life” by Steve Angrisano and Tom Booth, I reflected on the meaning of “I Am Who Am” as God’s gift of Jesus, present to all of us at that liturgy. Ordinary bread fills us for a short time. Jesus as the bread of life is continuous presence, continuous gift, continuous love of all.

The lyrics of the song are beautiful.

I am the Bread of Life, I am the hope in night, I am the door wide open, I am the shepherd’s might. I am the truth and light, I am the way and life, I Am Who Am and I am for you: Come and follow me.

I am bread for the world, hope for the hopeless. Come to me, and know that I’ll always be there with my arms open wide. I Am Who Am and I am for you: Come and follow me.

I give my heart to those in sorrow, I come to those who are in need; hope for today and for tomorrow, light for all who want to see.

These lyrics remind me of the action that love requires if we are being the Body of Christ to all we meet and encounter. We don’t just pray for the needs of our world and the needs of our neighbors. We also act. The Bread of Life in John’s gospel isn’t just Eucharist; it is also footwashing.

Footwashing reorients us. It places emphasis not only on ritual action, but also on acts of love, compassion, cooperation. connection, and community.

May our “hungers” be for the Bread that is living and lasting, overcoming hatred and division. And may our being fed include the feeding of others. Love changes everything!