Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

IF YOU ONLY GAVE ME A SIGN

I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE

Ever loving God, we seek signs of your
presence in our world. Grant us clarity to
recognize the signs of your love, even in
moments of uncertainty. Inspire us to share
these signs with others, offering hope and encouragement to those in need. Guide us to
be beacons of your light, shining brightly
amidst darkness.

Have you ever asked God for a sign?What was it like when you received or didn’t receive an answer?

The Maryknoll Deaf Development Programme (DDP) helps Cambodia’s deaf people be transformed as they learn skills, including sign language, and job training.

Signs and symbols are how God communicates with us and it is how we communicate with one another. Through signs and symbols we are able to create meaning and make sense of the world around us. Fr. Charlie Dittmeier, MM along with the Maryknoll Lay Missioners, live in Cambodia where they have created the Deaf Development Programme. It is by teaching sign language to the young deaf children in Cambodia that they are able to be part of the larger society and thrive. Through learning new signs, they are transformed and made able to communicate and build stronger connections with their family and friends. They feel like they belong and are part of a community. By teaching sign language to the marginalized in Cambodia, Fr. Dittmeier, MM and the Lay Missioners are a sign of God’s love to the young deaf population.

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and 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 signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but 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 heaven and 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.” Jn 6:24-35

Miracle after miracle, people still seek more signs. Sometimes, individuals may fall into the trap of only seeking Jesus for peace or comfort and overlook the uncomfortable realities and teachings he presents. As missionary disciples, we are invited to frequently examine our own motivations for seeking Jesus, questioning if we seek him solely to fulfill our immediate desires or if we are seeing signs of God’s love, and are open to receiving the greater gifts where transformation occurs to benefit others, especially those on the margins or in need.

How is the Spirit inviting you and your community to be a sign of God’s love for others?

How is the Spirit inviting you and your community to be a sign of God’s love for others?

Lord, you feed us with the everlasting bread of your love. Give us the wisdom to see the signs of that bread all around us and the courage to share that bread with others. Let us become your loving presence in a world that needs kindness and compassion.