Daily Reflection – Aug 19, 2018

Sunday 19 August 2018

First Reading: PRV 9:1-6
Responsorial Psalm:
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
PS 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Second Reading: EPH 5:15-20
Gospel Reading: JN 6:51-58

Today’s Note: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Reading:

Jesus said to the crowds:
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven;
whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give
is my flesh for the life of the world.”

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying,
“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
Jesus said to them,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,
you do not have life within you.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
has eternal life,
and I will raise him on the last day.
For my flesh is true food,
and my blood is true drink.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
remains in me and I in him.
Just as the living Father sent me
and I have life because of the Father,
so also the one who feeds on me
will have life because of me.
This is the bread that came down from heaven.
Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,
whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

Reflection:

Be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)

Today is exam day. And to make it a little easier, we have reprinted today’s second reading:

15Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, 16making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. 18And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, 20giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

Fill in the blank—identify five important transitions in this passage:

1. From foolish to w _ _ _ (verse 15)

2. From ignorant to understanding the w _ _ _ of the Lord (verse 17)

3. From drunk on wine to being f _ _ _ _ _ with the Spirit (verse 18)

4. Addressing one another in p _ _ _ _ _, h _ _ _ _, and spiritual s _ _ _ _ (verse 19)

5. Giving t _ _ _ _ _ always for everything (verse 20)

Paul said, “Be filled with the Spirit,” and he told us how. So in your prayer today, do three things:

1. Read one psalm and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with God’s grace and wisdom. Try to sense what he is saying to you: perhaps a new insight, perhaps a sense of encouragement, perhaps guidance on how to act at work today.

2. Thank Jesus for all of your blessings.

3. Address every person you meet today with kindness and love, generosity and patience. Make this your spiritual song to them.

“Lord, come and fill me with your love.”