Newsletter – Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B.

REFLECTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE – by Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart

The people ask Jesus for a sign, like the mannabread that Moses and their ancestors received in the desert. Jesus tells the crowd that he himself is the ‘bread of life’.

How strong is your faith? Do you feel connected to Jesus and believe he is present to you? Or do you wish you could have more miraculous signs – perhaps like bread falling to you from the sky?

Jesus recognises that the people are more concerned with perishable food to fill their stomachs. He urges them to be concerned with the food that will not perish, with food that is eternal and that feeds the soul, not just the body.

No one will deny that food for the body is necessary. But most of us never think about eternal food for the soul. What feeds our souls? What feeds yours? What helps your faith? What or who gives life to your relationship with Jesus? What or who helps you believe? How are you a person who brings ‘food for the soul’ to others?

Teenagers seem to be preoccupied with the latest fashion statement, the kinds of pants and shirts that are in style, the music that is currently topping the charts, and even the words and phrases that are popular in teen language. These are all fads that come and go, certainly like the ‘perishable food’ Jesus talks about. What would Jesus say about teenagers and their love for these things? What do you think about them?

© St Mary’s Press
Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart (1958-2011) gained her doctorate in education from Cardinal Stritch University and was associate director of early adolescent ministry in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Previously she served for six years as the director of youth ministry for the Diocese of Grand Island, Nebraska. She also established “Tomorrow’s Present”, a youth leadership ministry. She was a highly regarded speak and wrote many books on spirituality and youth ministry.