The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to continue Jesus' mission of feeding our faith that the Good Shepherd feeds us in green pastures beside still waters.
In the reading from the Second Book of Kings, Elisha feeds One Hundred Men.
[4:42–44] Mt 14:13–21; 15:32–38; Mk 6:34–44; 8:1–9; Lk 9:10–17; Jn 6:1–13
Psalm 145 praises the Greatness and the Goodness of God.
* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB, n.d.)
The reading from the Letter to the Ephesians exhorts us to unity in the Body of Christ.
* [4:1–16] A general plea for unity in the church. Christians have been fashioned through the Spirit into a single harmonious religious community (one body, Eph 4:4, 12; cf. Eph 4:16), belonging to a single Lord (in contrast to the many gods of the pagan world), and by one way of salvation through faith, brought out especially by the significance of baptism (Eph 4:1–6; cf. Rom 6:1–11).
* [4:4–6] The “seven unities” (church, Spirit, hope; Lord, faith in Christ [Eph 1:13], baptism; one God) reflect the triune structure of later creeds in reverse. (Ephesians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of John presents Jesus feeding 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.
* [6:1] [Of Tiberias]: the awkward apposition represents a later name of the Sea of Galilee. It was probably originally a marginal gloss.
* [6:5] Jesus takes the initiative (in the synoptics, the disciples do), possibly pictured as (cf. Jn 6:14) the new Moses (cf. Nm 11:13).
* [6:6] Probably the evangelist’s comment; in this gospel Jesus is never portrayed as ignorant of anything.
* [6:7] Days’ wages: literally, “denarii”; a Roman denarius is a day’s wage in Mt 20:2.
* [6:9] Barley loaves: the food of the poor. There seems an allusion to the story of Elisha multiplying the barley bread in 2 Kgs 4:42–44.
* [6:10] Grass: implies springtime, and therefore Passover. Five thousand: so Mk 6:39, 44 and parallels.
* [6:13] Baskets: the word describes the typically Palestinian wicker basket, as in Mk 6:43 and parallels. (John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Joan Blandin Howard asks what is happening between Jesus and Philip? Both the servant and Philip are trying to solve the practical problem of feeding a large crowd with not nearly enough food and not enough money.
This has happened to me on more than one occasion. I get stuck in my head trying to figure out the logistics of Jesus’ invitation, whatever it is. When I move from my head to my heart, I open up to Jesus. This is not a head calculation; this is a matter for the heart. This is a matter of faith, of being in a trusting, open relationship with Jesus. In my heart I can more readily receive Jesus, not try to cram Jesus into my brain. As if there will come a time when I will be able to unravel the mystery of God. That is a hope and prayer unworthy of us. It will never happen. We can hope for and trust in his mercy and love.
Jesus never said your title has saved you. Jesus says over and over again, “your faith has saved you”. “Do not be afraid.” “Trust me, follow me, love each other as I have loved you.” “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.” Jesus was teaching Philip that he could never feed the crowds or anything else outside of their oneness. Their relationship, as ours, must be based on faith, hope, trust, generosity and above all else Love of God. (Blandin Howard, 2024)
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) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 6:1-15 comments that everything about this sign speaks of the abundance of God’s provision for his people.
Jesus wants to help you come to believe in him, know him personally, and experience his abundance. Just as he gave signs to his disciples, he gives you signs to help you grow in faith. They’re all around you, and Jesus loves to help you recognize them. So ask the Spirit to open your eyes to see the Lord’s power, faithfulness, and love in your life—and rejoice! They may not be neon signs, but they will help you grow to believe in Jesus more and more each day.
“Thank you, Lord, for the signs of your presence all around me!” (Meditation on John 6:1-15, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes that Elisha is presented as a wonder worker able to multiply barley loaves and present a foreshadowing of Jesus' multiplication of loaves and fish that is present in all the Gospels. The Letter to the Ephesians, written in the name of Paul, calls us to unity in humility and patience striving to live a life of virtue. Friar Jude reminds us of the allusions to Psalm 23 and the Eucharist in the Gospel today from John.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on Jesus’ teaching on the reign of God presented in Matthew’s Gospel. In the second century, the Christian people started calling themselves the “catholic” people. Too few of us were taught that catholic simply means universal in Greek. From the beginning, Christians recognized that their message was not for any one ethnic group or nation, but in fact was about how things eternally are everywhere, all the time.
We know we’re living in God’s Big Picture when we can see God in all cultures, in all social classes, and even in all religions. We have to stop thinking that any one religion has God in its pocket, or controls God, or that God only likes certain people who happen to be Christians. Would God be that stingy? Would God be that small and petty to only love people like me? I hope not. Because it’s precisely this great heart of God that is able to love all of God’s children. Jesus comes to the land of the Gentiles to proclaim a God for the universal kingdom.
Every time we pray “thy kingdom come” we’re praying that God can grant, and we can participate in, a universal, truly “catholic” world where all of us can love one another without distinction, and without discrimination. I’m afraid we have to admit that we haven’t gotten very far yet. We still have not caught up with Jesus. We prefer to live in our smaller kingdoms instead of the universal kingdom of God. (Rohr, n.d.)
We express gratitude that Jesus continues to feed our needs by the Spirit calling us to unity as children of God.
References
Blandin Howard, J. (2024, July 28). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/072824.html
Ephesians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/4?1
John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?11
Meditation on John 6:1-15. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/07/28/1034323/
Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?10
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Living Inside the Big Picture. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/living-inside-the-big-picture/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jul28
2 Kings, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2kings/4?42
No comments:
Post a Comment