Homily - 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15; Ephesians 4:17, 20-24; John 6:24-35

In 1943, Abraham Maslow published an essay entitled, “A Theory of Human Motivation” in which he introduced for the first time his hierarchy of human needs (a hierarchy that was further updated and expanded in the 1970s). Maslow chose the shape of a pyramid to emphasize that the strongest of needs, and the basis for all the rest, are physiological needs. From there, moving up the scale, he placed safety, belongingness and love, esteem, cognitive, aesthetic, self-actualization, and finally, transcendence needs. As a psychologist, he understood that the most human need is associated with how we feel physically. If our physiological needs are not addressed, we will not be able to seek the subsequent levels he identifies as important to us.

Using Maslow’s theory, then, it is not hard to understand that when the ancient Israelites found themselves in the middle of the desert and without food, they didn’t worry about much else - especially their covenant with God. In fact, they were downright grumpy and rebellious. They grumbled; “But you had to lead us into this desert to make the whole community die of famine!” Their hunger led them to forget that they had been slaves in Egypt, where their lack freedom had not allowed them to worship their God instead of Pharoah. Their lives had not been perfect, but at least they had food in their stomachs.

This might sound familiar to us because any human being who is hungry cannot think about much more than that. If, in the course of a normal day, we run over meetings or tasks and don’t get time to eat lunch, the afternoon can be long and challenging. We might experience hunger pangs that distract us from everything else. Hunger can lead to lightheadedness, nausea, and even weakness.

Hunger is a monumental problem when it presents itself, which is why Jesus uses the image to teach his followers about what God has sent him to preach and practice. Hunger for heavenly food is as real to a human being as is physical, earthly hunger. As Christians, we seek that highest level of needs, transcendence. We know that this earthly life is not what we live for. It is eternal life that is our ultimate goal. Unfortunately, the busyness and relentless pace of this life sometimes distract us from our desire for “the bread of life” as Jesus calls himself. Our attention to that higher need of transcendence is clouded over by the other needs that come before it.

It is for this reason that our faith looks for and relies on spiritual habits that work their way into our daily routines. Prayer that leads to transcendence is not something that we can do occasionally if we hope for it to be meaningful in our lives. That is why week after week, and sometimes, day after day we gather to celebrate the Eucharist, in thanksgiving for the sacrifice that our God has made for us. We come to this table in order to feast on the bread of heaven, the bread of life. We prepare ourselves by digesting God’s word, which tells the story of our salvation history.

Let us not lose sight of our reliance on this food because of life’s distractions and detours. Let us also remember that the Eucharist demands more than the opening of our hands to receive and our mouths to consume. The Eucharist demands that we open our hearts and spirits as well so that we may become what we receive. In the profound simplicity of the bread and wine of the Eucharist, we are called to become the Christ we receive, Christ the servant, Christ the reconciler, Christ the wisdom and life of God.