The 17th Sunday of the Year 2 Kgs 4:42-44; Eph 4:1-6; Jn 6:1-15 (Year B)
Today, and over the coming weeks, the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel sets before us the revelation of Christ as the Bread of Life. This is a timely preparation for the National Eucharistic Congress which takes place in Liverpool at the beginning of September. Not everyone will be able to attend, but all are called to worship the Christ who stands in our midst as the living bread come down from heaven.
Hunger is the most instinctive expression of humanity’s longing for life. As the body craves food, so the spirit longs for love, healing and forgiveness. Throughout the Old Testament the God who feeds the hungry became a recurrent model of salvation: “The eyes of all creatures look to you, and you give them their food in due time. You open wide your hand, grant the desires of all who live.”
During the weeks ahead let us seek out every opportunity for silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Let us allow that gentle presence to question and heal our lives. Prayerful discernment brings us to an acknowledgement of the many hungers that drive our lives. Let us repent of the sinful hungers that wound but can never satisfy. Let us embrace the hunger that rests content in the presence of the Lord.
Elisha was but one of the prophets whose miracles of feeding foreshadowed the Eucharist. He directed that the grain and bread offered at the Temple should be used to feed a starving city. Here, for the first time, we see that the little we can bring to the Lord is multiplied by his blessing. “They will eat and have some left over. They ate, and had some over, as the Lord had said.”
In the Gospel Jesus instructed the Apostles to feed the multitude with five barley loaves and two fish. It was all they had to offer, and they themselves questioned what good it could do between so many.
In our poverty and hunger we can bring little to the Lord. A broken world cries out for love, forgiveness and healing, and yet we can offer so little. “Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and gave them out to all who were sitting ready, as much as they wanted.”
During the days ahead let us bring our emptiness to the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Blessed by his presence, our dwindling faith and love are multiplied.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.