Show Notes
In this twelfth week of “Ordinary” (or “Normal”) time, Case explores John 6 and Jesus’ use of “I am” statements as a keen and effective preaching mechanism to help the people connect Jesus to the benefits of real world experiences.
Nuance’s Formed for Formation is a weekly liturgy to encourage all of us to be faithful to Christ in the public square. Join Case Thorp as he follows the Church calendar through the reading of Scripture, prayer, and short reflections on faith in all facets of public life.
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Episode Transcript
The heat of August is upon us and where I live, the flora and fauna is robust. Green as green can be. The humidity thick. In such a fecund environment, growth is inevitable. Yet is growth in Christ inevitable in you and me? Not so much if we neglect our Lord or fail to seek Him. And yet we are here together in this brief time of introspection through scripture and prayer. Welcome and good job. Good job showing up for your Lord to speak. And may these words of my mouth, O Lord, be your instrument and your tool.
A reading from John’s gospel, chapter six, verse 51 to 58.
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
What does it mean for Jesus to be the bread of life? Do we eat him? Is he our fill? And if so, what does being spiritually full mean? There are seven “I am” statements in John’s gospel attributed to Jesus. This was a keen and effective preaching mechanism to help the people connect Jesus to the benefits of the real world experiences. I am the bread of life. I am the living water. I am the way or road of salvation. I am the light of the world. I am the good shepherd. The people in Jesus’ day had a full awareness of such things and then could chew on how the benefits of such comparisons taught them about the Messiah.
I am the bread of life. Jesus declares that he is the sustenance for spiritual life, satisfying the deepest hunger of the human soul. I am the true vine. Jesus explains the importance of remaining connected to him as branches to a vine to bear spiritual food and thrive. If Jesus were preaching today, what might he compare himself to using the I am statements?
Maybe I am Monet’s lilies. I am an iPhone, granted the good parts. I am a kayaker on Rainbow Springs. I am the farm to table dinner. I am a great cup of coffee. There are so many ways Jesus could relate to our daily experiences and then we could chew on it, experience it again, and in doing so, experience Him. As you go about your day, what do you encounter that bears witness to a characteristic of God?
A reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians in chapter 5: 15-20
Be careful, then, how you live. Not as unwise people, but as wise, making the most of time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit as you sing songs and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us pray.
Lord, thank you for being the bread of life. You are the one who satisfies our soul’s deepest desire with the joy of salvation. We come to you with gratitude for all that we have. Open our eyes and the eyes of all to see you as the only bread for spiritual hunger, but also to see your presence in the faces of all who have physical hunger. Give us openness of soul and courageous, willing hearts to be with our sisters and brothers who hunger for so much. For when we care for them, we in fact care for you. We ask this in the name of the one whose mercy is endless. Jesus, the Lord.
A reading from the 34th Psalm, verses 9-14.
O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear Him have no want. The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, o children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord, which of you desires life and covets many days to enjoy good. Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.
