Exodus 16:2-4; Psalm 77; Ephesians 4:17, 20-24; John 6:24-35

In our first reading from the Book of Exodus, the Jewish people are travelling through the wilderness away from Egypt and they complain that they have nothing to eat. So the Lord provides them with manna – bread from heaven – to satisfy them. In the gospel passage from St John we see Jesus telling the people that he is the bread of life. The bread which the people had every day did not last and so they sought for something better. What Christ gives is eternal and comes from God. That bread is given to us at every celebration of the Mass and it will bring us eternal life.

In the second reading St Paul tells us that we must undergo a spiritual revolution and put aside our material desires. In so doing we will draw closer to Christ and to the eternal life he has promised to each of us.

Numbers 11:4-15; Psalm 80; Matthew 14:13-21

In our first reading from the Book of Numbers we have the account of the people complaining that all they have to eat is manna which they have now grown tired of. The Lord is angry but Moses pleads with him out of fear. We can also sense Moses’ frustration at the constant whining of the people who still prefer their life of servitude under the Egyptians to their life of freedom under God. In the Gospel we see Jesus feeding the multitude from five loaves and two fish. The people came wishing to listen to him even as he mourned for John the Baptist and they received more than they had expected. Those who turn to the Lord in faith and openness of heart will be fed and strengthened by him for their earthly journey.

Numbers 12:1-13; Psalm 50; Matthew 14:22-36

In the first reading today from the Book of Numbers we see that Moses has married a Cushite woman which did not find favour with Miriam and Aaron so they speak against Moses. Part of their anger also comes from jealousy at the fact that they did not have the same standing in God’s eyes as their brother Moses. They too had acted on behalf of God but Moses was the one with all the glory. The Lord is angered by this and he summons the three of them to the tent of meeting where he reprimands Miriam and Aaron for speaking against his servant. As the Lord departs, Miriam is turned into a leper. Aaron asks the Lord for forgiveness but it is the prayer of Moses which sees Miriam cured – proving his closeness to God and his superiority. The Psalm reminds us of Aaron and Miriam asking for forgiveness for speaking against Moses. In the Gospel we see Jesus walking across the lake to the disciples who were fishing. Peter begins to walk across the water to him but he doubts what he is doing and flounders. The episode is a further reminder that Christ is the Lord of all Creation and has power even over nature itself. It also reminds us that with faith in Christ we can overcome anything and be successful in our endeavours.

Numbers 13:1-2, 25-14:1, 26-29, 34-35; Psalm 105; Matthew 15:21-28

In our first reading today from the Book of Numbers we see that Moses has sent men into Canaan to check out the country. They come back and give a favourable report as to its fertility but a negative one as to the people they wish to displace. The people again complain against God and doubt his ability to deliver the land to them. Therefore he punishes them by allowing them to wander for a generation in the desert so that most of their current number will never see the Promised Land. In the Gospel text from St Matthew we see Jesus initially refusing to help a woman because she was of the wrong tribe. However, when she proves her faith, he grants her request and cures her sick daughter. We are reminded that simply asking the Lord for something is useless unless we have faith and demonstrate that faith by living Christian lives.

Memorial of St John Mary Vianney, Priest

Vianney, commonly known as the Curé d’Ars, was born in Dardilly, France in 1786. Due to his educational difficulties he was almost refused ordination but was ordained priest in 1815, being appointed curate in the town of Ars near Lyons in 1818, where he was to minister for the rest of his life. Nothing in life mattered to him except matters spiritual so that his clothes were falling apart, his food was insufficient and he hardly slept, but he still attracted thousands to his little church where many benefited from his hidden knowledge and his gifts of healing. It is said that over 1,000 people a week came to him in the twelve months before he died in 1859. He was canonized in 1925 and named patron saint of parish clergy four years later.

Numbers 20:1-13; Psalm 94; Matthew 16:13-23

We see the people continue their complaints against God in the reading from the Book of Numbers. Again the complaint is about food so the Lord orders Moses to strike the rock so that water would flow for the people. Moses does this but not quite as the Lord commanded, so Moses is told that he will not lead the people into the Promised Land. The Psalm reminds us of the complaining of the people. In the Gospel for today we have St Peter’s great profession of faith – “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Christ then goes on to predict his death in Jerusalem and Peter pleads with him not to go there and, for this, the Lord rebukes him for trying to prevent what must happen. Despite his profession of faith Peter still did not fully understand what that profession really meant. Whenever we seek to prevent the spread of the kingdom – knowingly or otherwise – we are taking the place of Satan. God’s ways are not our ways and so we should always be open to the work of God in our lives.

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 or 2 Peter 1-16-19; Psalm 96; Mark 9:2-10

This feast commemorates the day when Jesus, in the company of Peter, James and John, was transformed before their eyes on a mountain top. It reminds us of the various occasions in the Old Testament when people, such as Moses, met with God on mountains and spoke with him there. In the Transfiguration, God is heard to speak from heaven which re-enforces who Jesus Christ is for the Apostles who were with him.

Feast of St Albert of Trapani, Carmelite Priest

Albert was born in Trapani, Sicily, in the 1240s. He joined the Carmelite Order and was ordained priest, becoming Provincial in Sicily in 1296. Due to his piety and holiness many came to hear him preach and to be cured of their illnesses. He took part in missionary journeys. During the Siege of Messina in 1301 the authorities asked Albert and his companions to pray for an end to the siege. The story is told that as Albert finished Mass some ships ran the blockade with food for the people and soon after the siege was lifted. He died at Messina in 1306/1307

Readings:

Isaiah 58:6-12; Psalm 1; 2Corinthians 4:1-6; Mark 10:17-30

Our first reading from the Prophet Isaiah exhorts us to live a life of integrity and to be a light that leads people out of darkness towards the light of Jesus Christ. The text speaks very much about the life of Albert of Trapani for he did give his bread to the hungry, he did clothe the poor, he was a man of great integrity and the people came to him to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ from his lips.

The second reading from St Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians reminds us to be faithful to Jesus Christ and to the full message which he preached: we are not to shy away from proclaiming ourselves to be his disciples and we are not to water down the message to make it acceptable to those who are unhappy with parts of it. Albert fulfilled the second reading by preaching about Jesus Christ throughout his life.

The gospel from St Mark sees a rich young man asking Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life and Jesus tells him that he must keep the commandments, give to the poor from his abundant wealth, and follow him. The young man was able do two of the three but, for eternal life, all three are required. This is a reminder that there are obstacles which we place between ourselves and God and which we must overcome if we are to be his true disciples. Albert is an example for us for he was able to live out all three showing that it is possible.