18th Sunday Ordinary Time
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Cycle A
- A174: Why did Jesus ask his disciples to feed the crowd themselves, when he must have known that they did not have that volume of food to take care of 5,000 people?
- Symbol Of Faith
- Q330: Is Jesus playing “games” with the disciples, when he tells them, “give them something yourselves” (Mt 14:13-21)? How can they feed 5,000 men, “not counting women and children”?
- Q487: Do you think that Jesus had his disciples “ration” the bread that they distributed to 5,000 men and their families, to make sure there was enough for all?
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A174: Why did Jesus ask his disciples to feed the crowd themselves, when he must have known that they did not have that volume of food to take care of 5,000 people?
This is a very important miracle story, the only one that is told by all four evangelists. Matthew's version (Matt 14:13-21) clearly reminds his Jewish-Christian readers that there is a parallel here with Moses and the Manna in the desert, as Jesus "crosses the water" and feeds the crowd of 5,000 men plus all the women and children.
Almost one month ago to this day, we celebrated the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle (July 3). Thomas doubted the Resurrection, and Jesus had to show him his wounds, to enable Thomas to believe. In today's Gospel story the apostles all doubted, since they had only five loaves and two fishes. So after Jesus fed the crowd with his miracle, he left each one of the twelve apostles with one full basket of left over fragments to enable them to believe. Jesus is saying, in effect, I want each one of you to be eucharist for others. Yes, you can provide for the needs of others, both spiritual and material, if you do so in my name. That is what a disciple does!
When the gifts are brought forward to the altar to be offered to our Father, we need to spiritually "join ourselves" to those gifts, and offer ourselves in service to God. Like Jesus, we offer to be broken and poured out in service to God and his people. This is the mark of a true disciple, making Christ present to others wherever we encounter hunger in others or perceive a lack of compassion for their needs.
Reflection: Lord, when did I see you hungry, or thirsty, or naked, or in prison, or lonely, or sick? Have I ever doubted your Real Presence in the holy Eucharist? Do I need to make some changes in my life? Am I a true disciple?
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Knute K. Rockne was not only the most noted coach in the athletic history of the University of Notre Dame; he was one of the greatest coaches in the annals of American football.
Rockne's career came to an untimely and tragic end. The airplane in which he was traveling on March 31, 1931, crashed in the countryside near Bazaar, Kansas.
Apparently the authorities who rushed to the scene had difficulty in identifying the bodies of some of the victims. But they had no problem recognizing the famous coach. He was the man with the rosary wound around his hand.
"...I am certain that neither death nor life ... will be able to separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans, 8:38-39. Today's second reading).
-Father Robert F. McNamara
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Q330: Is Jesus playing “games” with the disciples, when he tells them, “give them something yourselves” (Mt 14:13-21)? How can they feed 5,000 men, “not counting women and children”?
No, there are no “games” or tricks being played by Jesus in this situation; there is only a call to faith, a call to use what you have been given to build up the kingdom, and therefore to use your gifts for the greater glory of God.
Did you notice that the “little kid” with the loaves and fishes is not in Matthew’s story? Instead, it is the disciples themselves who have the “little bit” - - they say, “WE have nothing here except five loves and a couple of fish.” That is a perfect setting, because it highlights for every Christian (i.e., disciple) that their little bit is what is being called into focus.
Gosh, what a leap of faith we are asked to make! We see no problem in urging on “Indiana Jones” to step out in faith across that invisible bridge at the gorge in Arabia. But we hesitate when the “actor” is us! God is asking us to make available whatever gift(s) we have; to offer those gifts to Him for His blessing; and then to make them available for others. St. Paul would say later, this is the way we build up the mystical Body of Christ.
Here is the Key, one that so many spiritual writers have discovered over the centuries: whatever it is that you have, whatever you offer, if given in a true spirit of love, God will bless that offering and make it become nourishment for many others. It is His Presence that is found in such a gift, because it comes from your Heart, where God dwells!
Know Your Catechism! This “massive” feeding of so many thousands of needy people prefigures the “superabundance” of this unique bread of the Eucharist (CCC#1335). The first Christians recognized this miracle of the breaking of the bread not only as the reality of the Real Presence of Jesus, but also as the sign of their call to be in communion with one another as the united Body of Christ (CCC #1329).
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Q487: Do you think that Jesus had his disciples “ration” the bread that they distributed to 5,000 men and their families, to make sure there was enough for all?
If you are old enough, you will remember; if not, then surely you were told stories by your parents or uncles and aunts about “rationing” during World War II. Many items became “scarce” goods, such as sugar, leather shoes, gasoline and tires, coffee, butter, and meat. Meat substitutes became popular, such as macaroni and cheese (which took fewer ration stamps), oleo margarine, and cottage cheese. And even if you had your monthly ration book of stamps, it was no guarantee that the product you wanted would be on the store shelves. I personally remember the sugar shortage as a kid, and my disappointment in going to the cupboard at home to find my personal sugar jar empty before the end of the rationing month.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a cupboard that is always full? Today’s readings hold out that promise. There is indeed a cupboard that never goes empty. All you have to do is find it. We could call this cupboard “faith.” Once you find it, you can open its door to enjoy the food that truly satisfies. It is always there, just waiting for you.
In our First Reading (Isaiah 55:1-3) the prophet speaks of the “free meal” awaiting us. The Lord is the host of this meal. He invites us to “come” and “listen” to his Word, a rich fare that satisfies our deepest needs. The Gospel (Matthew 14:13-21) shows a compassionate Jesus, who recognizes both the physical and the spiritual hungers of a huge crowd of people who came to hear his word and seek healing. So with just a tiny bit of food, he feeds and satisfies thousands of people! There was no rationing, and there was an abundance of bread fragments left over!
There is the cupboard that never goes empty! Jesus himself is our food and our drink! Both his word in scripture and his Real Presence in the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist nourish and sustain us on our journey back to him. Come, listen, eat, that you might have life!
KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! The action of Jesus in blessing, breaking, and distributing the loaves to feed thousands prefigures the superabundance of the bread of his Eucharist (CCC #1335). God’s gifts are free; seek and accept them with a grateful heart (CCC #2121).
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