Posted on 07/25/2015 7:30:06 PM PDT by Salvation
Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.
A large crowd followed him,
because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.
Jesus went up on the mountain,
and there he sat down with his disciples.
The Jewish feast of Passover was near.
When Jesus raised his eyes
and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,
he said to Philip,
Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?
He said this to test him,
because he himself knew what he was going to do.
Philip answered him,
Two hundred days wages worth of food would not be enough
for each of them to have a little.
One of his disciples,
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,
There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;
but what good are these for so many?
Jesus said, Have the people recline.
Now there was a great deal of grass in that place.
So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,
and distributed them to those who were reclining,
and also as much of the fish as they wanted.
When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,
Gather the fragments left over,
so that nothing will be wasted.
So they collected them,
and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments
from the five barley loaves
that had been more than they could eat.
When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,
This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.
Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off
to make him king,
he withdrew again to the mountain alone.
In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus uses five loaves and two fish to feed a crowd of five thousand. This miracle of multiplying loaves and fish is well-known to us because it is included in each of the four Gospels; Jesus even performs this miracle twice in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. The miracle itself illustrates how the divine words and works of Jesus are beyond the realm of the natural world. His generosity is seen not only in feeding the large crowd, but in the 12 baskets of fragments that are collected after everyone has had their fill.
The crowd was astounded. This is truly the Prophet, they said.
Yet this miracle or any miracle is not something meant to stand alone. Instead, it is a sign pointing to a greater reality that Jesus is truly the Son of God and Savior of the world. He is to be trusted and His words believed, for He is the way, the truth and the life that leads us to eternal joy.
Too often, however, the miracle is preferred to Jesus and the salvation He offers. We see it in the Gospel today, as we hear that those following Jesus were not there for His preaching. Instead, they followed Him because of the signs He was performing on the sick (cf. Jn 6:2). They were amazed at His healing power, so they stayed close to Him. Then they were amazed again with the miracle of the loaves and fish, so at the end of this Sunday's Gospel, they want Jesus to be their king (cf. Jn 6:15). They wanted Him for the wrong reason: to provide for them in an earthly sense. They preferred the miracles not the Savior and His message.
It is hard to blame them. We long for stories of miracles healings, visions, levitating saints and other supernatural events that show God's power at work. We are astounded when God can heal our illnesses when science and medicine have fallen short. We rejoice that God can bring a wandering Catholic back to church with a personal miracle or providential encounter. Miracles are signs of Gods power and of His love for us. Often, they increase our love of God and our trust in Him.
The problem rests not in our fascination with miracles, but in our desires stopping there. Too often the miracle is all that we seek, and we cannot look past them to see what they point to: the truth that God loves and loves us so much that He sent His Son to teach us, to suffer and die to free us from our sins and to rise again in order to conquer death and bring us eternal life. In the end, this is what we really need.
Sometimes, we find our prayers are asking for something amazing from God, some sign that He is present, something we can point to that will give us the boost we need to believe and trust Him more. But we must recognize that these are just signs. God promises and provides so much more. He promises His unending love for us. He promises His forgiveness for our sins. He promises to give us and our loved ones everything we need to strengthen us that we may come to know and love Him more in this world and the next. Our prayers may be answered by a miracle, or He may answer them in another way. In either case, we must have faith that His will is done and His faithfulness and love endure.
In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus walked away from the crowd because people desired His miracles and desired He become their king for their earthly benefit. His plan for salvation did not involve the establishment of an earthly kingdom. Instead, He established an eternal kingdom and brought about our redemption through His death and Resurrection. Jesus is Our Savior, and we place our faith in Him.
As we meditate on this passage, let us pray that we grow to love God more and more for who He is and what He promises. May we hear the truth of the words He speaks both in the Scripture and the church. May we meet Him in the sacraments, especially in the miracle of the Eucharist at each Mass. Finally, let us pray for the faith that knows that even when He does not grant us the miracles we seek, He is there, providing all we need to fulfill His promise for our salvation.
Fr. Wagner is Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverdes secretary.
Inspirations of the Holy Spirit
Year B- 17th Sunday in ordinary timeFeeding of the five thousandJohn 6:1-151 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is that of Tiberias. |
Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary
We have in todays gospel the very familiar miracle of the loaves and the fishes. One is tempted to say, Oh, that one and then tune out. But the gospel today contains a personal appeal from the Lords lips to your (my) ears: Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?
Immediately, objections begin to pop up in our minds. But lets be still and allow the Lord to instruct us by applying this Gospel in three stages.
I would like to apply this gospel in such a way as to illustrate our need to evangelize the culture in which we currently live. It is an immense task, one that can overwhelm us, and yet the Lord still bids us to get busy and join him in feeding the multitudes.
I. THE IMAGE THAT IS EXTOLLED The text says, Jesus went up on the mountain and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him.
The text says that Jesus saw a large crowd. I wonder if we do? Generally today when we think of the Church, we think of declining numbers. This is because we tend to think in terms of the number of members. In contrast, Jesus thinks in terms of those who need to be reached. And, as we know well, the number of those who need to be reached IS large! So while it seems clear to us that the gospel is currently out of season, we must never forget that everyone is precious to the Lord; He wants to reach all and feed them with His grace, mercy, truth, and love.
So, the image that is extolled is that of need, not of believers and non-believers. Is this how you and I see the world? Jesus sees all the world as a vineyard, as a mission field. He sees all as hungry, no matter how obstinate they are. It is a sad fact that many reject the food we in the Church offer; many even deny that they are hungry. But they are hungry and Jesus is about to ask our help in feeding them. Thus, while we may see opponents to the faith, this text lifts up an image that is rooted in the universal human problem of hunger, physical and spiritual.
II. THE INSUFFICIENCY THAT IS EXPRESSED The text says, Where can we buy enough food for them to eat? Jesus said this to test Philip, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, Two hundred days wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fishes; but what good are these for so many?
There is a human tendency to feel overwhelmed. This is understandable since the task of evangelizing and feeding the world is daunting to say the least.
Yet note that they are NOT without any resources. It may seem insufficient, but it is not nothing.
And so it is for us who may feel overwhelmed by the cultural meltdown taking place before our very eyes. It seems that every number we want to go down is going up, and every number we want to go up is going down. The cultural war seems to be occurring on multiple fronts: family, marriage, sexuality, life issues, religious freedom, schools, church attendance, the rise of secularism and atheism, and the lack of personal responsibility and self-control.
The list could go on and on. It is not difficult to demonstrate that the disrepair in our culture is enormous. The task of evangelizing our culture may seem far more difficult than coming up with two hundred days wages.
But note that Jesus says, Where can WE get enough to solve the problem. For it is not only up to us, mere mortals, to resolve the grave issues of our day. The Lord asks us to work with Him. Now, it would seem, we have a fighting chance!
III. THE IMMENSITY THAT IS EXPERIENCED Jesus said, Have the people recline. Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted. So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves.
By now this story is so familiar that we are not shocked by the outcome. But no matter how many times we hear it, we still do not really accept its astonishing truth.
We all know that this world is in an increasingly bad state. The problems seem overwhelming and our resources seem so limited to turn back the tide. What will we ever do with only five loaves and two fishes?
Jesus says, Bring them to me.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step. The conversion of the whole world begins with me. As I look the huge problems before me, I (this means you) assess my loaves and fishes:
It is too easy to lament the condition of the world and, like the Apostles, to feel overwhelmed. Jesus says, Just bring me what you have and lets get started. The conversion of the whole world will begin with me, with my meager loaves and fishes.
Jesus will surely multiply them; He will not fail. Already there is renewal evident in the Church, through a faithful remnant willing to bring their loaves and fishes (some of the things mentioned above and more besides). They are bringing them to Jesus and He is multiplying them. Renewal is happening; signs of spring are evident in the Church.
There is an old saying that it is easier to wear slippers than to carpet the whole of the earth. Indeed it is. If it is a converted world that you want, start with yourself. Bring your loaves and fishes to Jesus; bring your slippers and lets get started. It begins with me.
This song says,
If I can help somebody, as I pass along,
If I can cheer somebody, with a word or song,
If I can show somebody, how theyre traveling wrong,
Then my living shall not be in vain.
If I can do my duty, as a good man ought,
If I can bring back beauty, to a world up wrought,
If I can spread loves message, as the Master taught,
Then my living shall not be in vain.
St. Peter of Alcantara
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I: 2Kings 4:42-44 II: Ephesians 4:1-6
1 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiber'i-as.
2 And a multitude followed him, because they saw the signs which he did on those who were diseased.
3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there sat down with his disciples.
4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.
5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to him, Jesus said to Philip, "How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?"
6 This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.
7 Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,
9 "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?"
10 Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.
12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost."
13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten.
14 When the people saw the sign which he had done, they said, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world!"
15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Jesus is the Bread of Life.
On one level, Jesus satisfies our physical hunger. On a deeper level, he is the bread, through which we are led to a deeper level of faith, to participate in God's life.
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The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Amen. "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28) "Blessed are you among women, |
Saint Joachim & Anne,
Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Memorial
July 26th
Joos van Cleve
St Anne with the Virgin and Child and St Joachim
Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts, Brussels
Wood, 109 x 74 cm
Joachim (whose name means Yahweh prepares), was the father of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Anne (Hebrew, Hannah, grace; also spelled Ann, Anne, Anna) is the traditional name of the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Tradition grounded on very old testimonies, very early hailed Saints Joachim and Anne as the father and mother of the Mother of God.(Principal source - Catholic Encyclopedia - 1913 edition)
Collect:
O Lord, God of our Fathers,
who bestowed on Saints Joachim and Anne this grace,
that of them should be born the Mother of your incarnate Son,
grant, through the prayers of both,
that we may attain the salvation
you have promised to your people.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.First Reading: Ecclesiasticus 44:1, 10-15
Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers in their generations. But these were men of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten; their prosperity will remain with their descendants, and their inheritance to their children's children. Their descendants stand by the covenants; their children also, for their sake. Their posterity will continue for ever, and their glory will not be blotted out. Their bodies were buried in peace, and their name lives to all generations. Peoples will declare their wisdom, and the congregation proclaims their praise.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:16-17
[Jesus said,] "blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it".
I had forgotten the miracle by the hand of Elisha the Prophet by the word of the LORD. It was wonderful to be reminded in this morning’s weekly portion.
Feast Day: July 26
Patron of: Housewives, women in labor, cabinet-makers, and miners
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John | |||
English: Douay-Rheims | Latin: Vulgata Clementina | Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000) | |
John 6 |
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1. | AFTER these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is that of Tiberias. | Post hæc abiit Jesus trans mare Galilææ, quod est Tiberiadis : | μετα ταυτα απηλθεν ο ιησους περαν της θαλασσης της γαλιλαιας της τιβεριαδος |
2. | And a great multitude followed him, because they saw the miracles which he did on them that were diseased. | et sequebatur eum multitudo magna, quia videbant signa quæ faciebat super his qui infirmabantur. | και ηκολουθει αυτω οχλος πολυς οτι εωρων αυτου τα σημεια α εποιει επι των ασθενουντων |
3. | Jesus therefore went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. | Subiit ergo in montem Jesus et ibi sedebat cum discipulis suis. | ανηλθεν δε εις το ορος ο ιησους και εκει εκαθητο μετα των μαθητων αυτου |
4. | Now the pasch, the festival day of the Jews, was near at hand. | Erat autem proximum Pascha dies festus Judæorum. | ην δε εγγυς το πασχα η εορτη των ιουδαιων |
5. | When Jesus therefore had lifted up his eyes, and seen that a very great multitude cometh to him, he said to Philip: Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? | Cum sublevasset ergo oculos Jesus, et vidisset quia multitudo maxima venit ad eum, dixit ad Philippum : Unde ememus panes, ut manducent hi ? | επαρας ουν ο ιησους τους οφθαλμους και θεασαμενος οτι πολυς οχλος ερχεται προς αυτον λεγει προς τον φιλιππον ποθεν αγορασομεν αρτους ινα φαγωσιν ουτοι |
6. | And this he said to try him; for he himself knew what he would do. | Hoc autem dicebat tentans eum : ipse enim sciebat quid esset facturus. | τουτο δε ελεγεν πειραζων αυτον αυτος γαρ ηδει τι εμελλεν ποιειν |
7. | Philip answered him: Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little. | Respondit ei Philippus : Ducentorum denariorum panes non sufficiunt eis, ut unusquisque modicum quid accipiat. | απεκριθη αυτω φιλιππος διακοσιων δηναριων αρτοι ουκ αρκουσιν αυτοις ινα εκαστος αυτων βραχυ τι λαβη |
8. | One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, saith to him: | Dicit ei unus ex discipulis ejus, Andreas, frater Simonis Petri : | λεγει αυτω εις εκ των μαθητων αυτου ανδρεας ο αδελφος σιμωνος πετρου |
9. | There is a boy here that hath five barley loaves, and two fishes; but what are these among so many? | Est puer unus hic qui habet quinque panes hordeaceos et duos pisces : sed hæc quid sunt inter tantos ? | εστιν παιδαριον εν ωδε ο εχει πεντε αρτους κριθινους και δυο οψαρια αλλα ταυτα τι εστιν εις τοσουτους |
10. | Then Jesus said: Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. The men therefore sat down, in number about five thousand. | Dixit ergo Jesus : Facite homines discumbere. Erat autem fnum multum in loco. Discumberunt ergo viri, numero quasi quinque millia. | ειπεν δε ο ιησους ποιησατε τους ανθρωπους αναπεσειν ην δε χορτος πολυς εν τω τοπω ανεπεσον ουν οι ανδρες τον αριθμον ωσει πεντακισχιλιοι |
11. | And Jesus took the loaves: and when he had given thanks, he distributed to them that were set down. In like manner also of the fishes, as much as they would. | Accepit ergo Jesus panes : et cum gratias egisset, distribuit discumbentibus : similiter et ex piscibus quantum volebant. | ελαβεν δε τους αρτους ο ιησους και ευχαριστησας διεδωκεν τοις μαθηταις οι δε μαθηται τοις ανακειμενοις ομοιως και εκ των οψαριων οσον ηθελον |
12. | And when they were filled, he said to his disciples: Gather up the fragments that remain, lest they be lost. | Ut autem impleti sunt, dixit discipulis suis : Colligite quæ superaverunt fragmenta, ne pereant. | ως δε ενεπλησθησαν λεγει τοις μαθηταις αυτου συναγαγετε τα περισσευσαντα κλασματα ινα μη τι αποληται |
13. | They gathered up therefore, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above to them that had eaten. | Collegerunt ergo, et impleverunt duodecim cophinos fragmentorum ex quinque panibus hordeaceis, quæ superfuerunt his qui manducaverant. | συνηγαγον ουν και εγεμισαν δωδεκα κοφινους κλασματων εκ των πεντε αρτων των κριθινων α επερισσευσεν τοις βεβρωκοσιν |
14. | Now those men, when they had seen what a miracle Jesus had done, said: This is of a truth the prophet, that is to come into the world. | Illi ergo homines cum vidissent quod Jesus fecerat signum, dicebant : Quia hic est vere propheta, qui venturus est in mundum. | οι ουν ανθρωποι ιδοντες ο εποιησεν σημειον ο ιησους ελεγον οτι ουτος εστιν αληθως ο προφητης ο ερχομενος εις τον κοσμον |
15. | Jesus therefore, when he knew that they would come to take him by force, and make him king, fled again into the mountain himself alone. | Jesus ergo cum cognovisset quia venturi essent ut raperent eum, et facerent eum regem, fugit iterum in montem ipse solus. | ιησους ουν γνους οτι μελλουσιν ερχεσθαι και αρπαζειν αυτον ινα ποιησωσιν αυτον βασιλεα ανεχωρησεν εις το ορος αυτος μονος |
(The inscription in Old Slavonic, "contrary wind", is part of the text nearest to the illumination and refers to the next episode).
Day 207 - Jesus Blesses the Children // The Rich Ruler
Today’s Reading: Luke 18:15-30
15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 20 You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’ “ 21 And he said, “All these I have observed from my youth.” 22 And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. 24 Jesus looking at him said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” 28 And Peter said, “Behold, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no man who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive manifold more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Today’s Commentary:
Sell all: Jesus exposes the rich man’s greatest weakness: his attachment to earthly wealth (18:23). Because his heart is tied to his possessions, even the prospect of gaining eternal life fails to conquer his affections for them. Unless we become “poor in spirit” (Mt 5:3), wealth will have the same disastrous effect on us as it has on the rich man. Note that Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1-10) and Joseph of Arimathea (Mt 27:57) were also wealthy, yet both preferred the higher treasures of the kingdom by responding to the gospel.
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Old Calendar: Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost." So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten (Jn 6:11-13).
Today is the feast of Sts. Joachim & Anne which is superseded by the Sunday Liturgy.
Click here for commentary on the readings in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.
Sunday Readings
The first reading is taken from the Second Book of Kings 4:42-44. We have here an incident from the life of Elisha, the prophet in Israel who inherited the mantle of the great Elijah. He prophesied in Israel during the second half of the 9th century. By anointing Jehu as king of Israel, he helped to bring about the overthrow of Achab's dynasty which had introduced the worship of Baal into Israel and had almost paganized the whole northern kingdom. This reading describes a miracle worked by Elisha
The second reading is from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians 4:1-6. St. Paul lays great stress on Christian unity which is the essence of the faith. In these six verses he gives a sevenfold formula of unity on which the various aspects of true Christian unity are based.
The Gospel is from St. John 6:1-15. Although Jesus had the intention of preparing the minds of the multitude for his discourse on the heavenly food which he would make next day, his principal motive in working this miracle was pity and compassion. He knew that they were hungrythey had been away from home all day and some for many days.
They were willing to suffer this inconvenience but he did not want them to do so. Even though he knew there were some among them who would never accept him, and perhaps even some who would be among the rabble that demanded his crucifixion on Good Friday; yet he made no distinction. He had compassion on them all.
This miracle should surely convince us that Christ is interested in our daily needs too, just as he was interested in those of his contemporaries in Palestine. Our principal and only real purpose in life is to be saved and Christ is ever ready to help us. However, we have first to travel through our earthly life so, of necessity, we have to take a passing interest in the affairs of this world. We have to provide for our earthly needs and for those of any others who may depend on us. For many, in fact for the vast majority of men, this has always been and will be a struggle against great odds. Here, too, Christ is ever ready to help us. He has a true interest in our progress through life and if we turn to him trustfully and sincerely, he will help us over our difficulties.
This does not mean that we can expect or demand a miracle whenever we find ourselves in difficulties. If, however, we are true to Christ and to the faith in our daily lives, he will find ways and means of freeing us from difficulties which would otherwise overcome us. If we look back over our past we may notice occasions when we were saved from grave difficulties by some unexpected intervention. We may not even have called on Christ to help us but he knew our needs and he answered our unspoken request. Those five thousand hungry people had not asked him for food, but he knew their needs. He knew too that their needs were caused by their desire to be in his presenceso he gave them what they had not thought of asking for. If we are loyal to him we, too, can trust that his mercy and power will be with us in our hour of need. He may not remove the cause of our difficulty. Remember St. Paul who had some bodily infirmity which he thought impeded his effectiveness as a missioner? Three times he pleaded with Christ to remove this 'infirmity, but Christ assured him: "my grace is sufficient for you." He would prove all the more effectively that he was Christ's Apostle by preaching in spite of that infirmity: "for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12: 7-9). Thus it may be that Christ will use the very difficulty from which we are suffering, to bring us and others into more intimate union with him. Many of the saints suffered great hardships and afflictions during their years on earththese very afflictions were Christ's gifts to them. Without these, and the virtues of patience, faith and trust which they had to practice, they might not be among God's elect today.
We must rest assured then that Christ is intimately interested in our daily lives on earth. We must not expect that this interest of his will remove all shadows from our path. This would not be for our eternal goodand our eternal happiness is Christ's first interest in us. It should also be our own first and principal interest too. It will help us, too, to bear with our lot, if we look about us and see so many others who are worse off, or at least as badly off as we are especially with regard to the snags of life. Christian charity will move us to help them; we may not be able to give them any material help, but we can help to lighten their load by showing our sincere interest in them and by offering words of comfort and consolation. This is the only charity that the poor have to offer to their fellow sufferers, but if it is Christ-inspired its effects will reach to heaven.
Excerpted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O'Sullivan, O.F.M.
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
He withdrew again to the mountain alone. (John 6:15)
Did you ever think that Jesus would let the crowd make him their king after he had multiplied the loaves and fishes? That may be what they wanted, but Jesus chose otherwise. He chose humility.
In today’s second reading, Paul tells the Ephesians and all of us, “Live in a manner worthy of the call you have received” (Ephesians 4:1). We tend to reduce this invitation to specific points of action: I have to do this good thing, and I have to avoid that temptation. But what if Paul were urging us to imitate Jesus first and foremost in our dispositions—especially in our humility?
True humility means trying to avoid building ourselves up in the eyes of others. It means trying not to judge people harshly or bring them down in hopes of elevating ourselves. It means even avoiding the pride that can pop up when other people remark on our humility!
How can we learn from Jesus how to be meek and humble of heart? The answer may be found in the way we yield ourselves to God and let his grace shape our hearts and our minds. When we stop trying to earn God’s approval or achieve other people’s recognition and allow ourselves to be fed and strengthened by Jesus instead, grace multiplies—just as the loaves multiplied when Jesus offered them to his Father. Yielding to the Lord like this will open us to the grace we need to do those things we find hard to do on our own. It will keep us from promoting ourselves because we will be keenly aware of how much we owe the Lord.
Today, tell Jesus that you want his grace to help you view yourself a bit more humbly and view other people a bit more highly. Tell him that without grace, it is impossible to be humble. Ask him over and over again, and watch as he transforms your heart.
“Lord, give me the grace to be just as humble as you were the day you fed the five thousand.”
2 Kings 4:42-44
Psalm 145:10-11, 15-18
Ephesians 4:1-6
Mass Readings:
1st Reading: 2 Kings 4:42-44
Responsorial: Psalm 145:10-11, 15-18
2nd Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6
Gospel: John 6:1-15
1. In the first reading, the prophet Elisha feeds a hundred people with “twenty barley loaves.” In what way does this story prefigure Christ's miracle of the multiplication of loaves? In the “Our Father,” we ask the Lord for “our daily bread.” In what ways does the Lord feed you and provide you with daily sustenance?
2. The Responsorial Psalm ends with these words: “The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.” How important do you think it is to call upon the Lord in a daily time of personal prayer and Scripture reading? If you don’t already have a daily time of personal prayer and Scripture reading, are you willing to commit 15 minutes a day to it? If not, what are your reasons?
3. In the letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us how we are to live together in humility and unity as Christians. In particular he uses the words "one" or "unity" nine times. What are some of the characteristics of this call to unity? If St. Paul were to visit you today, what would you be able to tell him about your attempts to live in unity with others in your family, in your parish, and with friends and neighbors? What additional steps can you take to increase the "bond of peace" with your fellow Catholics? Other Christians?
4. The Gospel relates the story of the multiplication of the loaves, which itself prefigures the Eucharist. The bread in this story sustains earthly life, while the Eucharist sustains us for eternity and is the full manifestation of Christ's boundless love for us. It is a meal we share together in humility as Catholics, a sign and cause of unity. What steps can you take to deepen your experience of Christ, and his love for you, when you receive the Eucharist?
5. The Second Vatican Council called the Eucharist "the source and summit of the Christian life". The Greek word "Eucharist" itself means "thanksgiving". How thankful are you for this great gift of Christ?
6. In the meditation, we hear these words: “In today’s second reading, Paul tells the Ephesians and all of us, “Live in a manner worthy of the call you have received” (Ephesians 4:1). We tend to reduce this invitation to specific points of action: I have to do this good thing, and I have to avoid that temptation. But what if Paul were urging us to imitate Jesus first and foremost in our dispositions—especially in our humility?” The meditation goes on to describe “true humility” in this way: “True humility means trying to avoid building ourselves up in the eyes of others. It means trying not to judge people harshly or bring them down in hopes of elevating ourselves. It means even avoiding the pride that can pop up when other people remark on our humility!” How do you rate yourself against this definition? What steps can you take to grow in humility?
7. Take some time now to pray for the grace to learn from Jesus in regard to humility and to grow in humility. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
JESUS PAYS A HUNDREDFOLD THE LITTLE WE OFFER
(A biblical refection on THE 17th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME [YEAR B] July 26, 2015)
Gospel Reading: John 6:1-15
First Reading: 2Kings 4:42-44; Psalms: Psalm 145:10-11,15-18; Second Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6
The Scripture Text
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a multitude followed Him, because they saw the signs which He did on those who were diseased. Jesus went up into the hills, and there sat down with His disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up His eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to Him, Jesus said to Phillip, How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat? This He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. Philip answered Him, Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little. One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peters brother, said to Him, There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many? Jesus said, Make the people sit down. Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, He told His disciples, Gather up the fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign which He had done, they said, This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world!
Perceiving then that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, Jesus withdrew again to the hills by Himself. (John 6:1-15 RSV)
Todays Gospel story of the little boy who gave away his lunch occurred in Tiberias, the beautiful resort city on the west bank of the Sea of Galilee. It was during the Paschal season and Jesus saw a great crowd approaching. They reminded Him of the vast congregation that followed their God out of Egypt twelve centuries earlier, who were fed in the desert each morning with bread from heaven. Now looking at Philip, standing nearby, Jesus asked his opinion about feeding these tired people with bread. Philip replied that the idea was simply impractical.
Having overheard the conversation, a small boy, perhaps ten years old, told the apostle Andrew that Jesus could have his lunch if that would help. Andrew smiled politely at the youths naivete, yet was impressed with his foolish generosity. He finally felt compelled to relate the boys offer to Jesus. But what are they among so many? he quickly added, lest he sound ridiculous. Surprisingly, Jesus was pleased with the offer. He accepted the gift and proceeded to use it to feed 5000 men, not counting women and children.
The gift was insignificant, but what gift isnt, when offered to God, owner of the universe? Its not the size or value of the gift thats important, but the love and spontaneity with which its given. Remember how Jesus was impressed by the widows penny in the collection basket? He openly marvelled at the rich faith attached to her small gift.
The Lord does wonders with simple offerings, given in genuine love. Big gifts presented to His name for tax deductions or to impress others dont seem to capture His delicate attention. We all have many small but beautiful gifts we can offer. Who cant afford to give a few minutes of prayer to Him each day? Some possess talents for special services like reading at the Sunday liturgy, leading songs, playing the organ, teaching Sunday schools, working as Eucharist minister, or assisting the crippled. There are hundreds of valuable voluntary services (gifts) we can offer. Our freewill donation in the collection envelope is another example of an offering to the Lord. Remember that no gift is too small or useless if given in the proper spirit.
Common bread is multiplied spiritually to feed a hungry soul. The Lord can change a simple jar of water to wine (John 2:1-11); a cup of wine to His own life-giving blood (Matthew 26:27-28; Luke 22:20). Add His blessings to little gifts (a few loaves and two fish) and theres enough for all.
The small boy who because of his generosity gave up his lunch, now had more that he could eat. Its a minor miracle to fill a ten year old, but Jesus does not leave His friends hungry. Let us imagine ourselves seeing the Lord sent home His newly discovered young friend with a couple baskets of leftovers. What you give away, youll get back many times. Jesus is never outdone in generosity.
Short Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are never cheap with us! You pay back a hundredfold the little we offer! Amen.
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