During ordinary time we get exposed to lessons in discipleship. The lesson this week includes a warning against spiritual jealousy.

The Letter of Saint James says the wisdom from above manifests itself as pure, but who among us has totally pure motives for anything we do? The apostles sure didn’t, as they tried to elbow each other out of first place as greatest among Jesus’ followers.

To follow Jesus involves self-denial.

Is there anyone whose heart is not frightened at some time or another? Thus, the Lord’s message in Isaiah is directed to all of us. When we encounter Jesus we will experience vindication and recompense.

Jesus has no tolerance for lip service. Pure hands are nothing compared with pure hearts in his eyes.

We touch upon several great moments of truth in the readings today. Joshua commands the Israelites: “Decide today whom you will serve,” and they chose the Lord.

We’re learning that it takes wisdom to understand God’s simple desire that we love one another. Jesus is telling the people that God is their food, their life, their only hope for everlasting joy, but they keep wanting more signs, explanations, and clarifications.

The readings today make it clear that God nourishes and sustains us, but the food God gives us is to strengthen us to do God’s work.

Manna from heaven is what we’re all waiting for. But we keep looking up to the sky to find it, instead of in the body of Christ, namely our sisters and brothers.

The message that comes across loud and clear in today’s readings is that God satisfies our hungers. Ask yourself: How does God feed me? Certainly he doesn’t actually provide the food that sits on our table?