Homily for the 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time Cycle B Aug 1, 2021

 Homily for the 18^th Sunday of Ordinary Time  Cycle B   Aug 1, 2021

 

Do Be Do Be Do.    Is it more important, in following Christ, to do, or to be?

          In the Gospel we just heard the crowd following Jesus catches up with Jesus and they ask Him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”  It is a question about action, about doing.  And the crowd wants to do something.  Ever been there, just want to do something, anything?

          Jesus responds, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” 

          Do you think of believing as an action?  As something you do?  Do you make a conscious choice about what you believe? 

          The crowd then asks Jesus, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you?  What can you do?”   

          The crowd seems focused on actions, on doing.  They want signs, something physical and tangible.  They want actions.

          Jesus is talking instead about believing, more as a way of being than of doing.   Both being and doing are important, but it seems that the doing flows from the being, rather than the other way around.  The actions are the result of faith, not faith produced as the result of actions. 

          As I am now, by even the strictest definition, a senior citizen, it seems more and more to me that “being” – being a person of faith and fidelity - has become more important over the years, and “doing”, accomplishing things, checking off achievements, has become less significant or important.  Any other seniors here experience that?

          Doing requires certain abilities and competencies.  No one can do everything, and there are many who can only do very little.  People who are infirm, or sick, or disabled, or in some other way handicapped or limited, may not be able to do a great deal. 

But, they can be people of faith, even great faith.  They, and we, all can do what Jesus tells us is the work of God, that we believe in the one he sent.  Regardless of age, or talent, or handicap, everyone can believe in the one God has sent as our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

          At the end of today’s Gospel the crowd then asks Jesus to do something, to give them bread from heaven.  And Jesus gives them the wonderful statement, “I am the bread of life;” 

          Again, a statement not about doing, but about being.  “I am the bread of life.”   Jesus is the fulfillment of all our human hungers for meaning, for purpose, for love.  “whoever come to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”    //

          Actions are important.  We have to not only talk the talk but also walk the walk.  Otherwise, our faith is dead.  But Jesus is not only a support for our actions, He is the fulfilment of our longings and desires.  Today He assures us: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” 

          AMEN.