HOMILY OF THE 17TH SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
25TH JULY 2021.
READINGS:
R1: 2Kings 4:42-44.
R2: Ephesians 4:1-6.
Gospel: John 6:1-15
Theme: Under the Guidance of Jesus Christ, Our Resources are always enough when properly managed.
Today, the seventeenth Sunday of the year B, the readings direct our minds to reflect on the need for us to manage our resources both human and natural for the benefit of everybody.
In the gospel reading, Jesus cared about the people and thus fed them when they were hungry. In the first reading, Elisha cared and shared his gift with the people. And in second reading, Paul in his letter to the Ephesians implores us to ‘bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience.’
Reflecting deeply on the gospel reading, we see five important characters:
1. Jesus who continuous to show himself as a good shepherd who takes care of his flock the best way ever. As a caring shepherd, Jesus did not drive the crowd that came to him away even when it was very necessary that he and his disciples needed to rest. He continued to teach them because they were ignorant. He took care of both their spiritual and physical needs. After feeding them with the word he fed them with food, thereby, telling us that both are very essential in our life.
2. The crowd that followed Jesus were interested in him not because they wanted to learn from him or to adore him. Rather, they came to him because, ‘they were impressed by the signs he gave by curing the sick’. The question to all of us is this; what is our motive of following Jesus?
Why are we Christians? Why do we come to church? Are we just miracle seekers?
3. Philip was asked by Jesus ‘where can we buy some bread for these people to eat?’ Philip told Jesus that it was impossible that two hundred denarii would buy enough to give them small piece each. A denarius is a day’s salary for a worker in the time of Jesus. Two hundred denarii is half a year’s salary. Philip with this visible analysis saw only impossibility with what Jesus was demanding. For Philip it cannot work. He forgot the saying that with
God all things are possible.
Are we like Philip in the midst of difficult situations in life, seeing only impossibilities without possobility or success?
4. Andrew came up with a solution. He reported that there was a boy with five barley loaves of bread and two fish, but at this, he doubted saying, ‘what can that do for many? He doubted the possibility of that solution. Do we like Andrew doubt the possibility of God working through the little events of our life? Do we doubt the possibility of God performing wonders with the least opportunities or circumstances of our life? God can bless us through anybody. Let us not take anything or anybody for granted.
5. The little boy who’s five loaves and two fish were multiplied is a special character worthy of emulation. This boy is indeed extraordinary. His ability to surrender his own food for the crowd is quite unusual. This little boy’s action has an important message to communicate to us today! The willingness of this boy to let go of his food for the good of others is worthy of praise. If we are in the position of this little boy, can we share? Things are always enough when we share but scarce when hoarded.
There is food for all. The poverty and hunger in the world today is as a result of bad government policies and the greed of some people. We do not need so much in order to survive. We need only the basics. Therefore it is mandatory to feed the hungrier in our society.
Let us ask Jesus today to teach us how to share so that everyone will get his or her share of God’s given natural and human resources.
Peace be with you!
Rev. Fr. George Chimaobi Alugbuo, SMMM.
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