Pod Apostle

Pod Apostle presents Father Michael O'Connor. This homily is based on the Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. September 30, 2018.

Reading 1 Nm 11:25-29

The LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses.Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses,the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders;and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied.Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad,were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp.They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent;yet the spirit came to rest on them also,and they prophesied in the camp.So, when a young man quickly told Moses,"Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, "Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses' aide, said,"Moses, my lord, stop them."But Moses answered him,"Are you jealous for my sake?Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!"

Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14

R. (9a) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.The law of the LORD is perfect,refreshing the soul;the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,giving wisdom to the simple.R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.The fear of the LORD is pure,enduring forever;the ordinances of the LORD are true,all of them just.R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.Though your servant is careful of them,very diligent in keeping them,yet who can detect failings?Cleanse me from my unknown faults!R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant;let it not rule over me.Then shall I be blameless and innocentof serious sin. R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

Reading 2 Jas 5:1-6

Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,your gold and silver have corroded,and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;it will devour your flesh like a fire.You have stored up treasure for the last days.Behold, the wages you withheld from the workerswho harvested your fields are crying aloud;and the cries of the harvestershave reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure;you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.You have condemned;you have murdered the righteous one;he offers you no resistance.Alleluia Cf. Jn 17:17b, 17a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.Your word, O Lord, is truth;consecrate us in the truth.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

At that time, John said to Jesus,"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my namewho can at the same time speak ill of me.For whoever is not against us is for us.Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drinkbecause you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward."Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,it would be better for him if a great millstonewere put around his neckand he were thrown into the sea.If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.It is better for you to enter into life maimedthan with two hands to go into Gehenna,into the unquenchable fire.And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.It is better for you to enter into life crippledthan with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eyethan with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"

Pod Apostle presents Father Michael O'Connor. This homily is based on the Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. September 23, 2018.

Reading 1 Wis 2:12, 17-20

The wicked say:Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;he sets himself against our doings,reproaches us for transgressions of the lawand charges us with violations of our training.Let us see whether his words be true;let us find out what will happen to him.For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend himand deliver him from the hand of his foes.With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the testthat we may have proof of his gentlenessand try his patience.Let us condemn him to a shameful death;for according to his own words, God will take care of him.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8

R. (6b) The Lord upholds my life.O God, by your name save me,and by your might defend my cause.O God, hear my prayer;hearken to the words of my mouth.R. The Lord upholds my life.For the haughty men have risen up against me,the ruthless seek my life;they set not God before their eyes.R. The Lord upholds my life.Behold, God is my helper;the Lord sustains my life.Freely will I offer you sacrifice;I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.R. The Lord upholds my life.

Reading 2 Jas 3:16—4:3

Beloved:Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,then peaceable, gentle, compliant,full of mercy and good fruits,without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peacefor those who cultivate peace.Where do the warsand where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passionsthat make war within your members? You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain;you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask. You ask but do not receive,because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.Alleluia Cf. 2 Thes 2:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.God has called us through the Gospelto possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them,“The Son of Man is to be handed over to menand they will kill him,and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying,and they were afraid to question him.They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,he began to ask them,“What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent.They had been discussing among themselves on the waywho was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,“If anyone wishes to be first,he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,and putting his arms around it, he said to them,“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;and whoever receives me,receives not me but the One who sent me.”

Pod Apostle presents Father Michael O'Connor. This homily is based on the Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. September 16, 2018.

Reading 1IS 50:5-9A

The Lord GOD opens my ear that I may hear;and I have not rebelled,have not turned back.I gave my back to those who beat me,my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;my face I did not shieldfrom buffets and spitting.The Lord GOD is my help,therefore I am not disgraced;I have set my face like flint,knowing that I shall not be put to shame.He is near who upholds my right;if anyone wishes to oppose me,let us appear together.Who disputes my right?Let that man confront me.See, the Lord GOD is my help;who will prove me wrong?

Responsorial PsalmPS 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

R. (9) I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.or:R. Alleluia.I love the LORD because he has heardmy voice in supplication,because he has inclined his ear to methe day I called.R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.or:R. Alleluia.The cords of death encompassed me;the snares of the netherworld seized upon me;I fell into distress and sorrow,and I called upon the name of the LORD,"O LORD, save my life!"R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.or:R. Alleluia.Gracious is the LORD and just;yes, our God is merciful.The LORD keeps the little ones;I was brought low, and he saved me.R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.or:R. Alleluia.For he has freed my soul from death,my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.I shall walk before the Lordin the land of the living.R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.or:R. Alleluia.

Reading 2JAS 2:14-18

What good is it, my brothers and sisters,if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wearand has no food for the day,and one of you says to them,"Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well, "but you do not give them the necessities of the body,what good is it? So also faith of itself,if it does not have works, is dead.Indeed someone might say,"You have faith and I have works." Demonstrate your faith to me without works,and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.AlleluiaGAL 6:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.May I never boast except in the cross of our Lordthrough which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMK 8:27-35

Jesus and his disciples set outfor the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples,"Who do people say that I am?" They said in reply,"John the Baptist, others Elijah,still others one of the prophets." And he asked them,"But who do you say that I am?" Peter said to him in reply,"You are the Christ." Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.He began to teach themthat the Son of Man must suffer greatlyand be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,but whoever loses his life for my sakeand that of the gospel will save it."

Pod Apostle presents Father Michael O'Connor. This homily is based on the Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. September 9, 2018.

 

Reading 1IS 35:4-7A

Thus says the LORD:Say to those whose hearts are frightened:Be strong, fear not!Here is your God,he comes with vindication;with divine recompensehe comes to save you.Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,the ears of the deaf be cleared;then will the lame leap like a stag,then the tongue of the mute will sing.Streams will burst forth in the desert,and rivers in the steppe.The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water.

Responsorial PsalmPS 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10

R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!or:R. Alleluia.The God of Jacob keeps faith forever,secures justice for the oppressed,gives food to the hungry.The LORD sets captives free.R. Praise the Lord, my soul!or:R. Alleluia.The LORD gives sight to the blind;the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.The LORD loves the just;the LORD protects strangers.R. Praise the Lord, my soul!or:R. Alleluia.The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains,but the way of the wicked he thwarts.The LORD shall reign forever;your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.R. Praise the Lord, my soul!or:R. Alleluia.

Reading 2JAS 2:1-5

My brothers and sisters, show no partialityas you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.For if a man with gold rings and fine clothescomes into your assembly,and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in,and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothesand say, “Sit here, please, ”while you say to the poor one, “Stand there, ” or “Sit at my feet, ”have you not made distinctions among yourselvesand become judges with evil designs?Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.Did not God choose those who are poor in the worldto be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdomthat he promised to those who love him?AlleluiaCF. MT 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdomand cured every disease among the people.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMK 7:31-37

Again Jesus left the district of Tyreand went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee,into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impedimentand begged him to lay his hand on him.He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s earsand, spitting, touched his tongue;then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,“Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” —And immediately the man’s ears were opened,his speech impediment was removed,and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to,the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said,“He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Pod Apostle presents Father Michael O'Connor. This homily is based on the Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. September 2, 2018.Reading 1 Dt 4:1-2, 6-8

Moses said to the people:"Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decreeswhich I am teaching you to observe,that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the landwhich the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. In your observance of the commandments of the LORD, your God,which I enjoin upon you,you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it. Observe them carefully,for thus will you give evidenceof your wisdom and intelligence to the nations,who will hear of all these statutes and say,'This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.'For what great nation is therethat has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to uswhenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decreesthat are as just as this whole lawwhich I am setting before you today?"

Responsorial Psalm Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5

R. (1a) The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.Whoever walks blamelessly and does justice;who thinks the truth in his heartand slanders not with his tongue.R. The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.Who harms not his fellow man,nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;by whom the reprobate is despised,while he honors those who fear the LORD.R. The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.Who lends not his money at usuryand accepts no bribe against the innocent.Whoever does these thingsshall never be disturbed.R. The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Reading 2 Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27

Dearest brothers and sisters:All good giving and every perfect gift is from above,coming down from the Father of lights,with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. He willed to give us birth by the word of truththat we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in youand is able to save your souls.Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this:to care for orphans and widows in their afflictionand to keep oneself unstained by the world.Alleluia Jas 1:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truththat we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalemgathered around Jesus,they observed that some of his disciples ate their mealswith unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. —For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews,do not eat without carefully washing their hands,keeping the tradition of the elders.And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed,the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds. —So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him,"Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the eldersbut instead eat a meal with unclean hands?" He responded,"Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:This people honors me with their lips,but their hearts are far from me;in vain do they worship me,teaching as doctrines human precepts.You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition."He summoned the crowd again and said to them,"Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;but the things that come out from within are what defile."From within people, from their hearts,come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,adultery, greed, malice, deceit,licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.All these evils come from within and they defile."

Pod Apostle presents Father Michael O'Connor. This homily is based on the Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time. August 26, 2018.

Reading 1 Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b

Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem,summoning their elders, their leaders,their judges, and their officers. When they stood in ranks before God,Joshua addressed all the people:"If it does not please you to serve the LORD,decide today whom you will serve,the gods your fathers served beyond the Riveror the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."But the people answered,"Far be it from us to forsake the LORDfor the service of other gods. For it was the LORD, our God,who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt,out of a state of slavery. He performed those great miracles before our very eyesand protected us along our entire journeyand among the peoples through whom we passed. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God."

Responsorial Psalm Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21

R. (9a) Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.I will bless the LORD at all times;his praise shall be ever in my mouth.Let my soul glory in the LORD;the lowly will hear me and be glad.R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.The LORD has eyes for the just,and ears for their cry.The LORD confronts the evildoers,to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,and from all their distress he rescues them.The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.Many are the troubles of the just one,but out of them all the LORD delivers him;he watches over all his bones;not one of them shall be broken.R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Reading 2 Eph 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32

Brothers and sisters:Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.For the husband is head of his wifejust as Christ is head of the church,he himself the savior of the body. As the church is subordinate to Christ,so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.Husbands, love your wives,even as Christ loved the churchand handed himself over for her to sanctify her,cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,that he might present to himself the church in splendor,without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,that she might be holy and without blemish. So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own fleshbut rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church,because we are members of his body.For this reason a man shall leave his father and his motherand be joined to his wife,and the two shall become one flesh.This is a great mystery,but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.orBrothers and sisters:Live in love, as Christ loved us. Husbands, love your wives,even as Christ loved the churchand handed himself over for her to sanctify her,cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,that he might present to himself the church in splendor,without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,that she might be holy and without blemish. So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own fleshbut rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church,because we are members of his body.For this reason a man shall leave his father and his motherand be joined to his wife,and the two shall become one flesh.This is a great mystery,but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.Alleluia Jn 6:63c, 68c

R. Alleluia, alleluia.Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;you have the words of everlasting life.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 6:60-69

Many of Jesus' disciples who were listening said,"This saying is hard; who can accept it?"Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this,he said to them, "Does this shock you?What if you were to see the Son of Man ascendingto where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life,while the flesh is of no avail.The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.But there are some of you who do not believe."Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believeand the one who would betray him. And he said,"For this reason I have told you that no one can come to meunless it is granted him by my Father."As a result of this,many of his disciples returned to their former way of lifeand no longer accompanied him.Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?" Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believeand are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."

Pod Apostle presents Father Michael O'Connor. This homily is based on the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. August 19, 2018.

Reading 1 Prv 9:1-6

Wisdom has built her house,she has set up her seven columns;she has dressed her meat, mixed her wine,yes, she has spread her table.She has sent out her maidens; she callsfrom the heights out over the city:"Let whoever is simple turn in here;To the one who lacks understanding, she says,Come, eat of my food,and drink of the wine I have mixed!Forsake foolishness that you may live;advance in the way of understanding."

Responsorial Psalm Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. (9a) Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.I will bless the LORD at all times;his praise shall be ever in my mouth.Let my soul glory in the LORD;the lowly will hear me and be glad.R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.Glorify the LORD with me,let us together extol his name.I sought the LORD, and he answered meand delivered me from all my fears.R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,and your faces may not blush with shame.When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,and from all his distress he saved him.R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Reading 2 Eph 5:15-20

Brothers and sisters:Watch carefully how you live,not as foolish persons but as wise,making the most of the opportunity,because the days are evil. Therefore, do not continue in ignorance,but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery,but be filled with the Spirit,addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts,giving thanks always and for everythingin the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.Alleluia Jn 6:56

R. Alleluia, alleluia.Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my bloodremains in me and I in him, says the Lord.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 6:51-58

Jesus said to the crowds:"I am the living bread that came down from heaven;whoever eats this bread will live forever;and the bread that I will giveis my flesh for the life of the world."The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying,"How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them,"Amen, amen, I say to you,unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my bloodhas eternal life,and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food,and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my bloodremains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent meand I have life because of the Father,so also the one who feeds on mewill have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,whoever eats this bread will live forever."

Pod Apostle presents Father Michael O'Connor (Pastor of Our Lady of the Gulf). The Nighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 12, 2018.

Reading 11 KGS 19:4-8

Elijah went a day's journey into the desert,until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it. He prayed for death saying:"This is enough, O LORD! Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers." He lay down and fell asleep under the broom tree,but then an angel touched him and ordered him to get up and eat. Elijah looked and there at his head was a hearth cakeand a jug of water. After he ate and drank, he lay down again,but the angel of the LORD came back a second time,touched him, and ordered,"Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!" He got up, ate, and drank;then strengthened by that food,he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb.

Responsorial Psalm PS 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (9a) Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.I will bless the LORD at all times;his praise shall be ever in my mouth.Let my soul glory in the LORD;the lowly will hear me and be glad.R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.Glorify the LORD with me,Let us together extol his name.I sought the LORD, and he answered meAnd delivered me from all my fears.R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.Look to him that you may be radiant with joy.And your faces may not blush with shame.When the afflicted man called out, the LORD heard,And from all his distress he saved him.R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.The angel of the LORD encampsaround those who fear him and delivers them.Taste and see how good the LORD is;blessed the man who takes refuge in him.R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Reading 2EPH 4:30—5:2

Brothers and sisters:Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and revilingmust be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate,forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love,as Christ loved us and handed himself over for usas a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.AlleluiaJN 6:51

R. Alleluia, alleluia.I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord;whoever eats this bread will live forever.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelJN 6:41-51

The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said,"I am the bread that came down from heaven, "and they said,"Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say,'I have come down from heaven'?" Jesus answered and said to them,"Stop murmuring among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him,and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets:They shall all be taught by God.Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Fatherexcept the one who is from God;he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you,whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;this is the bread that comes down from heavenso that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven;whoever eats this bread will live forever;and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."

Pod Apostle presents Father Michael O'Connor (Pastor of Our Lady of the Gulf). The Nighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 12, 2018.

Reading 11 KGS 19:4-8

Elijah went a day's journey into the desert,
until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it. 
He prayed for death saying:
"This is enough, O LORD! 
Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers." 
He lay down and fell asleep under the broom tree,
but then an angel touched him and ordered him to get up and eat. 
Elijah looked and there at his head was a hearth cake
and a jug of water. 
After he ate and drank, he lay down again,
but the angel of the LORD came back a second time,
touched him, and ordered,
"Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!" 
He got up, ate, and drank;
then strengthened by that food,
he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb.

Responsorial Psalm PS 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (9a) Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Glorify the LORD with me,
Let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
And delivered me from all my fears.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy.
And your faces may not blush with shame.
When the afflicted man called out, the LORD heard,
And from all his distress he saved him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Reading 2EPH 4:30—5:2

Brothers and sisters:
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. 
All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling
must be removed from you, along with all malice. 
And be kind to one another, compassionate,
forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love,
as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us
as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.
AlleluiaJN 6:51

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord;
whoever eats this bread will live forever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelJN 6:41-51

The Jews

Pod Apostle presents Father Michael O'Connor (Pastor of Our Lady of the Gulf). The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 5, 2018.

 

Reading 1EX 16:2-4, 12-15

The whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them,"Would that we had died at the LORD's hand in the land of Egypt,as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread! But you had to lead us into this desertto make the whole community die of famine!"Then the LORD said to Moses,"I will now rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion;thus will I test them,to see whether they follow my instructions or not."I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh,and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread,so that you may know that I, the LORD, am your God."In the evening quail came up and covered the camp. In the morning a dew lay all about the camp,and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desertwere fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground. On seeing it, the Israelites asked one another, "What is this?"for they did not know what it was. But Moses told them,"This is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat."

Responsorial PsalmPS 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54

R. (24b) The Lord gave them bread from heaven.What we have heard and know,and what our fathers have declared to us,We will declare to the generation to comethe glorious deeds of the LORD and his strengthand the wonders that he wrought.R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.He commanded the skies aboveand opened the doors of heaven;he rained manna upon them for foodand gave them heavenly bread.R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.Man ate the bread of angels,food he sent them in abundance.And he brought them to his holy land,to the mountains his right hand had won.R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

Reading 2EPH 4:17, 20-24

Brothers and sisters:I declare and testify in the Lordthat you must no longer live as the Gentiles do,in the futility of their minds;that is not how you learned Christ,assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him,as truth is in Jesus,that you should put away the old self of your former way of life,corrupted through deceitful desires,and be renewed in the spirit of your minds,and put on the new self,created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth.AlleluiaMT 4:4B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.One does not live on bread alone,but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelJN 6:24-35

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,they themselves got into boatsand came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him,"Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered them and said,"Amen, amen, I say to you,you are looking for me not because you saw signsbut because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishesbut for the food that endures for eternal life,which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal." So they said to him,"What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them,"This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent." So they said to him,"What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:He gave them bread from heaven to eat."So Jesus said to them,"Amen, amen, I say to you,it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven;my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heavenand gives life to the world."So they said to him,"Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them,"I am the bread of life;whoever comes to me will never hunger,and whoever believes in me will never thirst."