Ordinary 19
by Lanie LeBlanc OP

The Scripture readings this Sunday tell of 
human inadequacies and how God responds to them. In the First Book of Kings, 
Elijah is fleeing for his life from those who did not want to hear the word of 
the Lord spoken through him. He was what we might call bone weary, frustrated, 
and just plain exhausted. Who among us has not felt that way? There are so many 
situations of people expending their energies purposely doing good whether 
within a family, the work place, or the community, who are met with a polite 
"thank you, but no thank you", a stronger rejection, or even violent reprisal. 
Sometimes one's effort is so great and the seeming result so undetectable, that 
well, it seems that those who are hell-bent to, well, are just hell-bent. "This 
is enough, O Lord! is our cry, too. In my case, it usually sounds more like "Do 
something, Lord!" as if He hasn't been doing anything yet !

God's response to Elijah shows His care. 
He doesn't remove these feelings, but instead, continues to provide 
opportunities for nourishment. The shade, the directives from the angels, and 
the water and cakes help Elijah regain his physical, emotional, and spiritual 
strength to continue his journey.

In the Gospel reading, the Jews' response 
to Jesus's words of life is to "murmur" against him. They try half-heartedly to 
figure out where Jesus came from and what he might mean, but not with open minds 
and hearts. Although Jesus is a bit sharp with them at first, he continues to 
explain. He tells them directly that whoever believes that he is "the bread of 
life" will have eternal life. Once again, the feelings of doubt are not 
dispelled directly, but rather opportunities for more understanding are provided 
so that spiritual nourishment can take place.

It is part of our human condition to 
become weary, to doubt, and to fall short of living as we should in so many 
ways. God's response to us is the same as the responses in the first and third 
readings. God indeed does provide respite for us in the Bread of Life and also 
in countless other ways that we may or may not recognize. One way is through one 
another, the reaching out for help and to help.

If, as it says in the Letter to the 
Ephesians, we are the beloved children of Cod, then we must be imitators of God 
in how we act. We were sealed with the Holy Spirit of God at Baptism, making us 
one family. Family cares for family. The reading says that any type of violence 
and malice in our lives must be replaced by compassion and forgiveness. Our 
feelings and our inadequacies often get in the way, as with those in the first 
and third readings. God does still provide us with opportunities for nourishment 
so that we can believe and continue on our journey to Him. Helping others along 
the way actually helps ourselves, for it is in doing so that we do as Jesus did, 
"handing himself over" for us.

In some ways, it helps me to think that 
the give and take in life keeps the balance of life continually flowing 
throughout the Body of Christ. Jesus's redemptive life blood remains our steady 
sustenance. Our need for help of whatever kind along the journey is received 
through the Bread of Life directly and also from those who have received from 
the Bread of Life and are willing to extend their helping hand in prayer, word, 
or deed. May we all, those in need and those not currently so, rejoice in the 
Triune Head of the Family Who cares for us all and also for our brothers and 
sisters who reflect that care.

(Comments to Lanie at lanieleblanc@mindspring.com.)