Opening Game
Start with Eternal Dodge Ball, a dodgeball game with a unique twist. Ensure you have plenty of balls for your group. Here are the basic rules:
- If you’re hit by a ball, you’re “out” and must sit down where you are. Remember who hit you.
- If you catch a ball, you’re also “out” and must sit down where you are. Remember who threw the ball.
- You can only take three steps to throw the ball.
- If the person who got you “out” gets hit, they sit down, and you can stand up and play again.
For a full description and tips to keep the game running smoothly, see Eternal Dodge Ball – A Silly Game that Never Ends.
This game can continue indefinitely. Once the group has had enough and your point is made, you can end the game. Follow up with these questions:
- Did the game seem to last a long time?
- Did you enjoy the game’s length, or were you ready for it to stop?
Scripture Reading
The truth is, nothing in this world goes on forever. Not our possessions, not our activities, not even our lives.
Let’s read the gospel of the day:
John 6:24-35 (Jesus speaks of the food that lasts) – the Gospel Reading for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B
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.”John 6:24-35
Discussion
Think about the story we just read. Jesus had just fed a large crowd with a miracle, providing them with bread and fish. Many people started following Him, hoping for more free food. But Jesus wanted to give them something much more important. He wanted to give them the Bread of Life, which lasts forever.
- What are some material things which are long lasting? Will these wear out eventually?
- What happens if you keep food too long?
We all know that material things, even the ones that seem durable, eventually wear out. Our clothes, our gadgets, even our favorite toys—none of these things last forever. They break, get old, or become less interesting over time. Even food, if kept too long, goes bad. It rots and becomes useless. This shows us that nothing material is permanent. Jesus uses this to teach us a lesson. While we need food and things to live, they are not the most important. Our relationship with God is what truly lasts.
Jesus offers us the Eucharist as the true Bread of Life. This isn’t just regular food; it’s spiritual nourishment. The Eucharist unites us with Jesus in a substantial and personal way. When we receive Communion, Jesus comes to live in us, and we become more like Him. This intimate contact with Our Lord is essential. It gives us strength, peace, and guidance. The Eucharist helps us to grow in holiness and love.
The Eucharist also brings us together as a community. When we gather for Mass, we are not just a group of individuals; we are the Body of Christ. We are united in our faith and our love for Jesus. This unity helps us to support each other and stay focused on our journey toward Heaven. It’s like being part of a team, where everyone encourages one another to keep going and not give up.
But Jesus also warns us to be careful. It’s easy to get caught up in the distractions of this world. We have school, hobbies, sports, and other activities. While these things are good, they should not take over our lives. We need to make the Eucharist a priority. Receiving Jesus in Communion should be more important than anything else because it nourishes our soul.
Let’s think about some things that might distract us from the Eucharist. Maybe it’s staying up late and sleeping in, missing Mass. Or perhaps it’s being too busy with activities and forgetting to make time for prayer. These are distractions that keep us from receiving the Bread of Life. We need to find ways to prioritize our spiritual life. This might mean setting a schedule to make sure we attend Mass regularly, or spending a few moments each day in prayer, focusing on Jesus.
Lastly, it’s possible to attend Mass and still not be focused on the Eucharist. We might be there physically but not mentally or spiritually. It’s important to prepare our hearts and minds for receiving Jesus. We can do this by praying before Mass, listening carefully to the readings, and being open to what God wants to say to us.
The Eucharist is a precious gift from Jesus. It helps us to stay close to Him and gives us the strength to live our faith. Let’s make sure we value this gift and not get too caught up in the things that don’t last. Our relationship with Jesus is what truly matters, and the Eucharist is the key to deepening that relationship.
Small Group Reflection Questions
Following the large group discussion, small group reflection questions encourage participants to share their thoughts and experiences openly. This discussion aims to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist as the Bread of Life.
- Understanding the Eucharist: What does it mean when we say the Eucharist is the Bread of Life? How does this concept impact your understanding of Communion?
- Temporary vs. Eternal: Can you think of some things in your life that are temporary? How does focusing on the Bread of Life help us see what is truly important?
- Personal Connection: How does receiving the Eucharist help you feel connected to Jesus? Can you share a time when receiving Communion was particularly meaningful to you?
- Community Aspect: How does the Eucharist bring us together as a church community? Why is it important to come together to receive the Bread of Life?
- Prioritizing Faith: What are some distractions in your life that might keep you from focusing on the Eucharist? How can you make receiving the Bread of Life a priority?
- Preparation for Communion: How do you prepare yourself to receive the Eucharist? What are some ways we can better prepare our hearts and minds for this sacrament?
- Living Out the Eucharist: How can the Eucharist inspire us to live our daily lives differently? What are some actions you can take to reflect the love and sacrifice of Jesus?
- Questions and Doubts: Do you have any questions or doubts about the Eucharist and its significance as the Bread of Life? How can we explore and address these together?
Challenge
Think about one concrete action you can take this week to make the Eucharist more of a priority in your life. This could be as simple as attending a weekday Mass in addition to Sunday Mass. It’s a great way to start or end your day, focusing on the presence of Jesus.
Another option is to pay extra attention during the Eucharistic Prayer at Sunday Mass. Sometimes our minds wander, but making a conscious effort to focus can deepen our experience and appreciation of receiving the Bread of Life. You might also choose to pray daily for a stronger desire for the Eucharist, asking Jesus to increase your love for Him in this sacrament.
If you feel comfortable, share your commitment with the group. Sharing can inspire others and create a sense of accountability. Whether you decide to attend an extra Mass, focus more during the Eucharistic Prayer, or pray for a deeper desire, these small steps can help strengthen your faith and bring you closer to Jesus.
Remember, the Eucharist is a gift and a source of grace. Making it a priority in your life can lead to a deeper relationship with Christ and a greater sense of peace and fulfillment.
Prayer
If possible, end by spending some time in adoration or praying before the tabernacle. Close with a prayer such as this.
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of the Eucharist, the Bread of Life. Through this sacrament, You nourish our souls and bring us closer to Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to always appreciate the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and to make it a central part of our lives.
Lord, grant us the grace to prioritize the Eucharist and to seek You above all else. May our hearts always be open to receiving Your love and grace in this sacrament. Strengthen our faith, deepen our love for You, and help us to live out our faith in our daily lives.
We pray for a greater desire for the Eucharist and for the strength to overcome any distractions that may pull us away from You. As we go forth from this lesson, may we carry the peace and love of Christ in our hearts and share it with those around us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
More Resources
More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections
For more information and resources, see https://young-catholics.com/10112/bread-of-life-lesson-plan/