The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of the Good Shepherd who feeds our every need and the role of friendship in making Love present.
Feeding our need
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes how Peter and John felt worthy to suffer dishonour.
* [5:36–37] Gamaliel offers examples of unsuccessful contemporary movements to argue that if God is not the origin of this movement preached by the apostles it will perish by itself. The movement initiated by Theudas actually occurred when C. Cuspius Fadus was governor, A.D. 44–46. Luke’s placing of Judas the Galilean after Theudas and at the time of the census (see note on Lk 2:1–2) is an indication of the vagueness of his knowledge of these events.1
Psalm 27 is a triumphant song of confidence.
* [Psalm 27] Tradition has handed down the two sections of the Psalm (Ps 27:1–6; 7–14) as one Psalm, though each part could be understood as complete in itself. Asserting boundless hope that God will bring rescue (Ps 27:1–3), the psalmist longs for the presence of God in the Temple, protection from all enemies (Ps 27:4–6). In part B there is a clear shift in tone (Ps 27:7–12); the climax of the poem comes with “I believe” (Ps 27:13), echoing “I trust” (Ps 27:3).2
The Gospel of John reveals the sign of the feeding of the five thousand.
* [6:1–15] This story of the multiplication of the loaves is the fourth sign (cf. note on Jn 5:1–47). It is the only miracle story found in all four gospels (occurring twice in Mark and Matthew). See notes on Mt 14:13–21; 15:32–39. John differs on the roles of Philip and Andrew, the proximity of Passover (Jn 6:4), and the allusion to Elisha (see Jn 6:9). The story here symbolizes the food that is really available through Jesus. It connotes a new exodus and has eucharistic overtones.3
Chas Kestermeier, S.J. believes that our deepest hunger can be resumed as a cry to “see me, know me, love me.” The problem is that people do not really love themselves, and so we believe that anyone who claims to love us just doesn’t know the real me or, alternatively, that anyone who actually does really know me cannot possibly love me.
When I look at God, then, it is incredibly difficult for me to believe that he can really know me as no one else could even dream of doing and, at the very same time, in the very same act, he can really love me as I so desperately need. Let us follow our hunger to Jesus, who does know us, who does love and feed us, who is the Shepherd and Savior our God has sent to all of us and, most particularly, to each of us, to me...4
Don Schwager quotes “God enables us,” by Leo the Great, 400-461 A.D.
"In rendering service to the grace of God, we are not only made subject to our King through obedience but are even joined to him through the will. If we are of one mind with him (willing what he wills, disapproving of what he disapproves), he himself will bring us victory in all our battles. He who has given the 'will' will bestow also the ability. In this way can we 'cooperate' with his works, speaking that prophetic utterance in the exultation of faith: 'The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defender of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?'" (excerpt from Sermon 26,4,2)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 6:1-15 comments when Andrew suggested taking his lunch to feed the crowds, the boy faced a moment of decision. Could he relinquish his food? What would his parents say? He had no idea what Jesus would do, but he gave them to him anyway.
Today, Jesus looks down on all the billions of people on the earth, and he sees each one. He sees every child hungering for bread and every person hungering for him, the Bread of Life. And he sees you. His eyes are welcoming, his arms are outstretched. He invites you to offer what you have so that you can feed his people. You may feel that you don’t have enough to be useful. You may feel that you are unqualified to help. But Jesus is pleased to receive and bless what you offer to him. Come closer; come out of the crowd. Give him your heart and your gifts. “Here I am, Lord. Use me to build your kingdom today.”6
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the plan of Gamaliel, teacher of Paul and man of wisdom, to expect a human undertaking to fail, but to respect the work of God. The Gospel of John emphasizes signs that point to Jesus perfect care and Eucharistic love. Friar Jude reminds us of the connection of this Gospel chapter to Psalm 23.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares the teachings of Richard of St. Victor (1110–1173), a medieval philosopher and theologian who gave him the powerful insight that the Trinity can be summed up as mutual friendship between three. Absolute Friendship! Fr. Richard believes this is something we might be able to hold on to in our spiritual lives.
In essence, he said, for God to be good, God can be one (but we always have doubts about a lone monarch). For God to be loving, God has to be two, because love is always a relationship of giving and receiving. The real breakthrough comes when Richard of St. Victor says that for God to be joy-filled and happy, God has to be three. [1] Delight comes, he says, from two together enjoying and rejoicing in the same thing at the same time. It is like new parents loving their new child that they cannot stop admiring. The love then flows in an eternal circle instead of back and forth between two. Each of the three takes their part in revving the engine of desire and delight.7
Care for those we encounter on our journey is our response to sharing in the Life of the Good Shepherd.
References
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