EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B – 31st July / 1st August, 2021

Jesus’ discourse on the bread of life follows a traditional method of rabbinic interpretation. Scripture is quoted, and then an analysis is given. When Jesus states that the work of God is faith in himself, the crowds demand a sign to verify this bold claim. In response, Jesus reinterprets the story of manna in the wilderness, insisting that he is the bread from heaven that gives life to the world. Jesus leads them away from a superficial search for physical satisfaction to a desire for the deeper things of God. The people realise that Jesus is claiming to be the one sent by God in whom they must believe. Here the bread of life is a wisdom theme and refers to faith, not Eucharist.