28 July 2024
Lectionary Readings: 2 Kings 4:42-44; Ps 145:10-11, 15-18; Eph 4:1-6; John 6:1-15
Theme: Our Call to Give
Our scriptures this week focus on finding ways to feed those most in need in our starving world. Everywhere we look today, we see sisters and brothers dying of starvation. This is indeed a time of crisis for so many in virtually all nations of the world. The crisis includes the horrors of war and the changing climate throughout the universe. In our readings of the earliest times of biblical history, many people are in dire situations needing sustenance to survive. Elisha, the man of God, is given a small supply of twenty barley loaves to feed a hundred people. As he told his servant to begin feeding the people, the servant was surprised to find that all had enough food to eat, and there was food left over!
The Psalmist sings, “you give them their food in due season,” for Adonai hears the call of those in need. In the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians, he calls on his followers to be people who reach out to all others around them with gentle care, patience, and love in order to bring about unity and peace for all those who believe in the Lord Jesus. Paul’s words are a great call for hope as this new community begins to grow. Feeding the human spirit is seen in new ways in this passage.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is in one of his favorite places, atthe Sea of Galilee. Many are now following him as he brought them healing and renewed hope. The feast of Passover is near but Jesus decides not to go to Jerusalem as usual, and he remains in Galilee. The apostles become concerned about food for the crowds that are growing. Jesus “asks” Philip where there is a place nearby to buy food! Andrew comes forward with a young boy who has five barley loaves and two fish and immediately notes that it would never be enough. Giving the directive to have the people get comfortable on the ground, Jesus blesses the small amount of food and tells them to begin sharing it. To everyone’s amazement, there was enough for all present and twelve baskets left over! The people began to call him a Prophet. Jesus sensed that they wanted to make him King, so he quietly withdrew to be alone. These passages come together with a strong message of God’s presence in the midst of our great needs, regardless if they are physical, mental, emotional, or otherwise. God never leaves us alone in our struggles, and each of us is called to share with others around us. We are challenged to share the gifts we have been given with those most in need. To the extent that we have much, we are called to share with those who have little. Rich nations have the responsibility to help sisters and brothers in poorer nations. This includes not only food but also medicines and various supplies that are needed to live a decent life. In our global world and communication networks, we can see almost immediately the needs of other nations. There are many ways to respond both materially and spiritually. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, constantly calls on all of us to reach out to those “least of these” and to include ALL at the banquet table of the Lord.
For Reflection and Discussion: 1. How do these readings apply to my sense and ability to share with those most in need in my neighborhood, town, state, and country? 2. Have I experienced a time when great need was met with unexpected responses from many who reached out to those people who were suffering? 3. Has there been a time when I was in great need? How did others respond to me?
This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by
Mary Louise Chesley-Cora, Delaware, USA, Bat Kol Alumna 2001
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