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Here are some Reflections for Ninteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B from Deacon Vincent.

1st Reading from the first book of Kings 19: 4-8.
The book of Kings is a type of history, but more a narrative of God’s relationship with the people of Israel under the Monarchy. The Monarchy had taken Israel to great riches and influence, but things declined, and successive kings moved away from following God’s covenant. King Ahab really did move away from God and became attracted to Baal, a fertility god, and had married Jezebel a fervent follower of this Baal. Whilst she is away from Israel on a foreign visit, Elijah challenges Ahab to bring the priests of Baal to the Mount Carmel for a trial of strength. The priests of Baal prepared an altar and placed their sacrifice for Baal to come and consume, despite calling dancing shouting gashing themselves with knives nothing happened. Elijah come evening told them to stand aside. He destroyed their altar and restored the Altar to God on twelve stones for the tribes of Israel. He soaked the wood and offerings in water and called upon God to consume the sacrifice, whereupon a fire came down and consumed everything. The people were amazed, and Elijah had the priests of Baal executed, whereupon when Jezebel returned and king Ahab related what Elijah had done, she promised to kill Eljah. Our reading takes up his story of flight and how he collapses with despair, but the Angel of the Lord brings him water and scones to strengthen him for his flight to Mount Horeb, where he hides in a cave. However, God has not finished with Elijah just yet. The books of Kings are a good read and full of exciting tales, well worth exploring.

Psalm 33: 2-9.
This song of thanksgiving might well be a song that Elijah would have sung in thanksgiving for his deliverance.

2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians 4: 30- 5: 2.
We continue reading Paul’s moral teaching on the appropriate behaviour of the followers of Christ. Once again, a reminder to the people to remember how Christ made himself a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God for our forgiveness. Hence, we should readily forgive one another as Christ has forgiven us. A timely reminder in troubled times.

The Holy Gospel according to John 6: 41-51.

The people recognise the “I AM” statement and they are baffled for how can he have come down from God, when we know his mother and father and his relatives. The idea of eating human flesh shocked the hearers. Jesus is using very crude language to explain the action of the Spirit. Christians have always interpreted this speech as referring to the Eucharist which has been celebrated every Sunday since the Resurrection. Jesus is really challenging his hearers, as well as we, who hear this speech being read for us today. It is asking people to make a huge leap of faith in realising that the bread and wine we consume at this Mass is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ given for us to assist us on our journey, (like Elijah), to an encounter with God for everlasting life. Just imagine the shock of hearing this for the first time, in the presence of Jesus. Some will find the language intolerable and will no longer walk with him. Jesus will be badly hurt by these defections. We are challenged also to believe on the word of Jesus, that the Spirit will accomplish this for us.

God grant us the Faith to believe in Jesus, whom you sent to us. Deacon Vincent