Homilies Alive
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 30, 2006
Homily Code: B-15
In the first reading and in the Gospel, we hear of two instances where crowds where fed with only a few barley loaves and some fish. Elisha's visitor had 2 barley loaves for 100 people. In the Gospel, 5000 were following Jesus and a boy in attendance had five barley loaves and two fish. That's ridiculous! No one can feed 5000 people with a few barley loaves and two fish. However, the gospel tells us that it happened.
Of course, we hear these readings each year and we probably don't pay much attention to them. When we walk out of Church this morning if someone was waiting there and was not a Catholic and if they asked, "What was the message of the gospel today? and you told him, "The message was that Jesus Christ fed 5000 people with 2 barley loaves and 2 fish," what do you think he would reply? He'd probably say, "That's impossible! No one can do that!"
Well, He did it. Jesus performed miracles, not for impact, but to indicate to the Jewish people that what He taught was truth. So what do today's two messages mean to us? They mean that we, too, should react as Jesus did. . . "How can I help others in need?"
We can't turn 2 fish and some barley loaves into a meal for 5000 people but we can use what we have to help others less fortunate than we are. As an example: (point out some of the charitable endeavors the parish sponsors. Does the parish help run a food pantry, provide meals for the less fortunate, usually in poor parts of the community.Other ways of helping those less fortunate.)
When we hear of Jesus helping the less fortunate, He is asking us, "What have you done for those in need? Have you left your homes to go to the areas of the community where people are hungry, where a food pantry provides groceries for families with children who depend on others for help can find clothing that is donated by many who don't need it any more but whose generosity can make a huge difference to those children whose parents don't have the ability to buy them what they need.
Think for a moment about our closets at home. Are there articles of clothing that we haven't worn for some time ...... are their clothes that don't fit us any more ...... is there furniture that the less fortunate would be thrilled to have?
That's what Jesus is saying to all of us today. Instead of just listening to these two readings, why not discuss what you can do on the drive home today. Ask your children, "Are there some things you have that you don't need but you think others might look upon your gift as the best piece of clothing they've ever owned.
When you're eating lunch or dinner today, think of what those same meals would mean to those who are hungry. I would ask that the young people here respectfully ask your parent, "Mom, Dad, do you think we have clothing, food or furniture that we'll never use that we could give to others who need it?"
Instead of leaving Mass and not even thinking of what Jesus did or not realizing that His messages and miracles are meant for us to emulate, let the whole family discuss how His message applies to us and how each member of the family can be just like Jesus ....... give something to someone who needs it more than we do. That's particularity true of things each of us will never use again.
What our congregation here today can accomplish is minds boggling. WE may say, "Well other people should take care of themselves." Did Jesus say that to the thousands that were following Him. Did He say, "Well, my sermon is over, now go down to McDonald's and get something to eat?" Even Phillip commented, in effect, "There's nothing we can do. Even 200 hundred days wages would not be enough for each of them to have a little." Jesus response? "Have the people recline and we will show them what we can do."
What if we here this morning, (evening) had the same thought. If we said, "What, as a parish, can we do? Can we rival Jesus' miracle by banding together to help others?" (Point out the organizations in the parish that are active in distributing food, clothing, but could do so much more if everyone was involved!)
"Again, I would ask the sons and daughters here this morning to ask your parents, "Do you think we could be of help to others who don't have what we have?" Following Jesus' example, "Do you think that's what Jesus is asking us to do? We'll help as much as we can."
So, please have the whole family ask the question, "Could we do what Jesus did?" I think He would answer, "Of course. In my name. everyone can perform miracles."