August 10, 2024 – Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Today’s sermon is entitled Living in Truth and Love: Nourished by the Bread of Life.

Today, we delve into two profound passages from the Letter to the Ephesians and the Gospel of John. These scriptures guide us in understanding how to live a life rooted in truth and love, sustained by the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians provides practical advice on how to live as followers of Christ. He begins by urging us to put away falsehood and speak truthfully to our neighbors, for we are all members of one body. This call to honesty is foundational for building trust and unity within the community.

Paul also addresses anger, encouraging us to resolve our conflicts quickly and not let anger lead us into sin. He advises us to work honestly, share with those in need, and use our words to build others up. These actions reflect a life transformed by Christ’s love.

Furthermore, Paul emphasizes kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. He calls us to imitate God and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a sacrifice to God. This sacrificial love is the model for our interactions with others.

Living in truth and love means embodying these qualities in our daily lives. It means being honest, managing our emotions, working diligently, and using our words to uplift others. It means showing kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, reflecting Christ’s love in all we do.

In John 6:35, Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” This statement is both a promise and an invitation. Jesus offers himself as the ultimate source of spiritual sustenance.

The crowd struggles to understand this, questioning how Jesus, whom they know as the son of Joseph, can claim to have come down from heaven. Jesus responds by emphasizing that belief in him is a gift from the Father. He reiterates that he is the living bread that came down from heaven, and whoever eats this bread will live forever.

In our lives, we often seek fulfillment in various ways—through material possessions, achievements, or relationships. Yet, true fulfillment comes from a relationship with Jesus. He is the bread that satisfies our deepest hunger and quenches our spiritual thirst. And so we need to come to him daily, trusting in his promise of eternal life.

So what does living in truth and love mean on a daily basis? It means honesty in how we communicate, owning our mistakes and not covering them up, communicating our honest feelings rather than letting our feelings and thoughts bother us. It means having integrity in our actions, being transparent and acting ethically, following through on our commitments. It means embracing our true selves and acting authentically, being open about our struggles and our successes. It means practicing small random acts of kindness and offering our time and skills to help those in need. It means compassion and empathy – taking the time to listen to others and supporting those going through tough times. It means forgiving those who have wronged us, even if they haven’t apologized, and seeking to mend broken relationships. It means uplifting and encouraging others.

These two passages remind us of the profound truths of our faith. We are called to live lives marked by truth and love, reflecting Christ’s character in our interactions with others. And we are invited to find our sustenance in Jesus, the Bread of Life, who offers us eternal nourishment and fulfillment. Let us embrace these teachings, living out our faith with honesty, kindness, and compassion. Let us come to Jesus, the source of our spiritual nourishment, and find our fulfillment in him. May we be nourished by his presence and empowered to live out his love each day.