17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
29 July 2018
| Second reading Ephesians 4:1-6 |
|---|
I, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near.
When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?”
Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus 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.
When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.” When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?”
Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus 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.
When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.” When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
By Ma. Rosalina S. Flores
Who among us is not familiar with the Gospel’s story for today? Jesus fed the multitude in the mountain using the five loaves and two fish of a young boy. And after everyone had eaten, the disciples has gathered twelve baskets of fragments left over. This incident is one of Jesus' great miracles as He also testified in the succeeding chapters that He is the Living Bread that satisfies.
Our present world experiences different types of hunger: material and spiritual. We hunger for food, for power, for education, for fame, for love and attention, and even for peace. We are busy acquiring material things and achieving goals that give temporary happiness. But today's Gospel reading invites us to reflect and prioritize spiritual hunger that most of us is setting aside. This is the extreme hunger that if addressed will give abundant blessings in our life.
The scenario in today's Gospel is not only about Jesus feeding the 5,000 people with the multiplication of bread and fish. Instead, it is more of satisfying their hunger for a shepherd who will lead them to verdant pasture. They followed Jesus up to the mountain because they acknowledged their spiritual burden and lifted it all up to Jesus' saving hands. Will you allow God to feed you? Will you go and follow Him up to the mountain, too?
Another thing to ponder is our bread and fish to be offered to God. The young boy in the Gospel gave Jesus his five loaves and two fish to be used for common good. He never thought of keeping the loaves and fish for himself and his family only. He has allowed it to be shared to others who are also in need like him. Are we willing to offer our five loaves and two fish to Jesus to help others? Or will we just save these for ourselves for rainy days?
Sometimes, we tend to look after our own sake only. We forget love and compassion towards others. Because we live in a cruel world and we strive for survival, it is easy to become selfish. “I will think of myself first before others. How can I share if I don’t have enough? Yes, I will give but please wait until I have more.”
Christ's invitation to us is to become Christians in spite of difficult circumstances. We are called to give ourselves completely similar to what Jesus did on the cross. He gave himself for our salvation. So as believers, we must act like Christ, emulate His deeds, and follow His teachings.
As we continue to reflect on today’s Gospel, may we allow God to enter and use our lives to give life to others. Our little bread will surely come a long way. Selfless giving is our calling.
Prayer
Who among us is not familiar with the Gospel’s story for today? Jesus fed the multitude in the mountain using the five loaves and two fish of a young boy. And after everyone had eaten, the disciples has gathered twelve baskets of fragments left over. This incident is one of Jesus' great miracles as He also testified in the succeeding chapters that He is the Living Bread that satisfies.
Our present world experiences different types of hunger: material and spiritual. We hunger for food, for power, for education, for fame, for love and attention, and even for peace. We are busy acquiring material things and achieving goals that give temporary happiness. But today's Gospel reading invites us to reflect and prioritize spiritual hunger that most of us is setting aside. This is the extreme hunger that if addressed will give abundant blessings in our life.
The scenario in today's Gospel is not only about Jesus feeding the 5,000 people with the multiplication of bread and fish. Instead, it is more of satisfying their hunger for a shepherd who will lead them to verdant pasture. They followed Jesus up to the mountain because they acknowledged their spiritual burden and lifted it all up to Jesus' saving hands. Will you allow God to feed you? Will you go and follow Him up to the mountain, too?
Another thing to ponder is our bread and fish to be offered to God. The young boy in the Gospel gave Jesus his five loaves and two fish to be used for common good. He never thought of keeping the loaves and fish for himself and his family only. He has allowed it to be shared to others who are also in need like him. Are we willing to offer our five loaves and two fish to Jesus to help others? Or will we just save these for ourselves for rainy days?
Sometimes, we tend to look after our own sake only. We forget love and compassion towards others. Because we live in a cruel world and we strive for survival, it is easy to become selfish. “I will think of myself first before others. How can I share if I don’t have enough? Yes, I will give but please wait until I have more.”
Christ's invitation to us is to become Christians in spite of difficult circumstances. We are called to give ourselves completely similar to what Jesus did on the cross. He gave himself for our salvation. So as believers, we must act like Christ, emulate His deeds, and follow His teachings.
As we continue to reflect on today’s Gospel, may we allow God to enter and use our lives to give life to others. Our little bread will surely come a long way. Selfless giving is our calling.
Lord, we offer You our brokenness to be shared for others. Our little offering from the heart is enough to do great miracles. Use us as Your instruments to make others feel loved and comforted. We can do nothing by ourselves, but with You, we can do everything. In the name of Jesus Christ, Your So, we pray. Amen.
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