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Sunday Connection

  
Sunday Connection

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. The Sunday Connection provides useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.

Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Sunday, August 18, 2024

This Sunday’s Readings

First Reading
Proverbs 9:1-6
Wisdom has set a feast before us.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 34:2-3,4-5,6-7
A prayer of praise to God for his goodness

Second Reading
Ephesians 5:15-20
Filled with the Spirit, Christians strive to follow the will of the Lord.

Gospel Reading
John 6:51-58
Jesus teaches that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will live forever.

Background on the Gospel Reading

On this Sunday, we continue to read from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. Today’s Gospel elaborates further on the teaching that Jesus began in our liturgy last week. In that reading, the crowds wondered about how Jesus could say that he had come down from heaven because they knew Jesus to be the son of Joseph. In this Gospel, some have difficulty with Jesus’ teaching that he is the living bread sent from God. Recall that Jesus had told them that just as God gave the Israelites manna to sustain them in the desert, so now God has sent new manna that will give eternal life. We hear the concluding verse of last week’s Gospel repeated in today’s reading: Jesus himself is the bread sent by God; Jesus’ flesh is the bread that is given for the life of the world.

Among the stumbling blocks for those who heard but did not understand Jesus is the teaching that the bread that Jesus will give is his own flesh. In response to the people who quarreled over his words, Jesus teaches with even greater emphasis that salvation comes to those who eat his Body and Blood. Jesus doesn’t seem to answer the question posed about how salvation will come about, perhaps because this reality can only be understood after his death and Resurrection. Instead, Jesus teaches about the life that he will give to the world.

To many ears, Jesus’ words are jarring and difficult to hear. Many who heard Jesus could not accept what he said. Many today continue to struggle to accept these words. But they are important words because they reveal our intimate connection with Jesus.

This is the mystery that is at the heart of our eucharistic theology. In the elements of bread and wine, Jesus’ Body and Blood are made truly present. When we share in the Body and Blood of Christ, Jesus himself comes to dwell within us. This communion with the Lord makes us one body, brings us eternal life, and sends us forth to be Christ’s body for the life of the world.

Gospel Reading
John 6:51-58
Jesus teaches that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will live forever.

Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3)

Some younger children may not yet have celebrated their first Holy Communion. Help children understand the significance of this sacrament.

Materials Needed

  • None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

  1. Ask children to name some of their favorite meals. Then ask: Why do we eat and drink? (to nourish our bodies so that they are strong and healthy) Say: We eat a special meal during Mass. Does anyone know what it is called? (The Eucharist, Holy Communion)
  2. Say: In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus, who is called the Bread of Life, tells us about the spiritual food that he gives us. Listen to what he says.
  3. Read aloud today’s Gospel reading, John 6:51–58.
  4. Ask: What kind of bread did Jesus say he will give us? (living bread) Say: Jesus said that he will be with all people who eat this bread from heaven and that they will live forever with God in heaven.
  5. Ask: Whose Body and Blood do the wheat bread and grape wine become In the Sacrament of the Eucharist? (Jesus’). Say: Jesus is truly with us when we celebrate this sacrament. We remember that he sacrificed his life to save us from our sins. Just as our bodies are nourished and strengthened by food and drink, our spirits are nourished and strengthened when we celebrate this sacrament.
  6. Pray: Jesus, you are with us in the Eucharist. Thank you for the gift of Holy Communion. Then pray together the Lord’s Pray.

Gospel Reading
John 6:51-58
Jesus teaches that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will live forever.

Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6)

As the children’s familiarity with the Mass increases, so too can their knowledge and experience of Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist. We invite children to this communion with the Lord when we reflect with them on the importance of the gift of the Eucharist in our lives.

Materials Needed

  • None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

  1. Invite the group to identify as many different forms of bread as they can think of (white bread, wheat bread, bagels, English muffins, pitas, tortillas, and so on).

  2. Ask: Why do we eat bread? What does bread do for us? (Bread is nourishment; bread sustains us; eating bread fills us.)

  3. Say: Bread is a staple of our diet, as it was for people in Jesus’ time. Today’s Gospel reading talks about the bread that Jesus gives us. This reading is taken from the Gospel of John, which we have been hearing at Sunday Mass for the past several weeks. We’ll understand today’s Gospel better if we review these readings.

  4. Say: Remember that a crowd of people had gathered to hear Jesus, and Jesus had blessed five barley loaves and two fish; there was enough to feed over five thousand people. Many people came to believe that Jesus came from God because of that miracle. The next day, the crowd continued to follow Jesus, and many wanted to see him perform another miracle. Instead, Jesus talks with them about the miracle, the sign, he had performed. Many people who hear him are not sure how to receive his words.

  5. Say: Let’s listen to the Gospel for today and see what it tells us about the bread that Jesus gives.

  6. Invite a volunteer to read aloud today’s Gospel, John 6:51-58.

  7. Ask: What kind of bread does Jesus say he will give? (living bread) Where does this living bread come from? (heaven) What will this bread do for those who eat it? (It will bring them eternal life; Jesus will come to live in those who eat this bread.) What else does Jesus say about this bread? (Jesus says that this living bread is his flesh, given for the life of the world.) What do you think Jesus is talking about? (the Eucharist)

  8. Say: In today’s reading, Jesus is telling us about the special gift he gives us in the Eucharist. In the Eucharist, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. When we share in the Eucharist, Jesus is present to us; through Holy Communion we will share eternal life.

  9. Conclude in prayer together thanking God for the gift of the Eucharist. Pray together the Lord’s Prayer or today’s psalm.

Gospel Reading
John 6:51-58
Jesus teaches that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will live forever.

Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8)

Young people observe in our culture an interest in prolonging human life and in seeking immortality. We can teach them that Jesus promised us eternal life—not an extension of our earthly existence, but a life with God forever.

Materials Needed

  • None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

  1. Say: There are people who expend a lot of time and energy trying to prolong their life. Why do you think people want to live for a long time? Do you think it would be a good thing to live forever? Why or why not? (Accept all reasonable answers.)

  2. Say: Jesus talks about the gift of eternal life in today’s Gospel. By this, he didn’t mean that we would live forever as we do now. Let’s listen to this Gospel and talk about what Jesus meant when he promised us the gift of eternal life.

  3. Invite a volunteer to read aloud today’s Gospel, John 6:51-58.

  4. Ask: What does Jesus say one must do to live forever? (Eat the bread that he will give.) What does Jesus say about this bread that will give eternal life? (It comes from heaven; it is Jesus’ flesh given for the life of the world.) What will this bread do for those who eat it? (It will bring them eternal life; Jesus will come to live in those who eat this bread.) What do you think Jesus is talking about? (the Eucharist)

  5. Say: In today’s reading, Jesus is telling us about the special gift he gives us in the Eucharist. In the Eucharist, the bread and the wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. When we share in the Eucharist, Jesus makes himself one with us. This is what eternal life means, being with God and Jesus forever.

  6. Conclude in prayer together thanking God for the gift of the Eucharist. Pray together the Lord’s Prayer or today’s psalm.

Gospel Reading
John 6:51-58
Jesus teaches that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will live forever.

Family Connection

Our faith teaches us that when we gather to celebrate the Eucharist, Jesus himself is present to us. Through the actions of the Mass, the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Christ. This is what we mean by the word transubstantiation. Jesus makes himself present to all who receive the Body and Blood of Christ.

If there are children in your family who have already celebrated their First Communion, invite them to share their memories of this special day. If you have family photos from this occasion, bring them out and share them. Adults in the family may also share memories or photos of their First Communion. Then read together today’s Gospel, John 6:51-58. Reflect together on what Jesus means when he calls himself the “living bread.” Recall that every time we receive the Eucharist, Jesus keeps the promise he made in today’s Gospel. Perhaps family members can share what it means for them to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Together, thank God for this gift of Holy Communion. Pray together the Lord’s Prayer or today’s psalm.

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