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“FIRST IMPRESSIONS”
17TH SUNDAY (B) July 28, 2024
2 Kings 4: 42-44; Psalm 145;
Ephesians 4: 1-6; John 6: 1-15
by Jude Siciliano, OP |
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Dear Preachers:
PRE-NOTE:
Welcome to the latest email recipients of
“First Impressions,” the Dominican Sister retreatants
from Blauvelt, New York.
Thank you.
Today Jesus throws a picnic for 5000 hungry
people. Which stirs in us the same question his disciples asked when they saw
the hungry crowd and their scanty supplies, the five loaves and two fish they
had to offer, “… But what good are these for so many?” Have you ever felt that
the problem you’re facing is just too much for you to handle on your own? Or,
even more than those nearest you can help you manage? That’s what those
disciples must have felt as they faced the hungry 5000.
During this liturgical year we have been hearing readings from Mark’s gospel.
But today we have shifted to John as we will do for many of the remaining
Sundays of the summer. The multiplication of the loaves is narrated six times in
the New Testament. Each evangelist tells the story with variations to suit their
needs. But at its roots, it’s the same story and the number of times it is
narrated emphasizes its importance for the early church and, of course, for us.
Let’s see why.
The stories of the multiplication differ, a characteristic of good storytellers.
Each has features that draw on their religious traditions. The details vary but
the truths at their heart are the same. In John’s version the story echoes the
Eucharistic narrative. If we look for the institution of the Eucharist in his
telling of the Last Supper we won’t find it. What we do hear, in his version of
the Supper, is the washing of the disciples’ feet. By just focusing on the foot
washing in the place we expect to hear the words of the institution of the
Eucharist, John is suggesting that we who eat the bread of Christ’s presence are
to then humbly serve the needs of others. As Christ did when he washed the feet
of his disciples.
But if we want to learn another “take” on the Eucharist we will find it in
John’s account of the multiplication of the loaves. Note that Jesus is the first
to see the needs of the crowd. They are hungry, away from home and have no other
resources. He asks his disciple Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them
to eat?” Philip responds in the way we might when we face a need we can’t handle
on our own. “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each
of them to have a little.” A “little!” Hang on Philip, Jesus is not miserly in
what he can provide for our hungers. John tells us that they had more than
enough to eat. The God Jesus reveals to us is abundant in mercy, compassion,
forgiveness and nourishment.
In other miracles stories, when a person with a serious need approaches Jesus
and expresses faith in his ability to help them, he does. But in the
multiplication story, the hungry crowd does not ask Jesus for food. Jesus sees
their need before they get to him. But I thought you had to be a believer to get
help from Jesus. Not in the story. The God Jesus is revealing to us takes the
initiative to feed our hungers. Which suggests God is already helping us in the
needy places of our lives. Have we noticed that help, even though we haven’t
thought to ask? Or, have we asked and are getting help in surprising and
unexpected ways?
Philip’s response to Jesus’ question, “Where can we buy enough food for them to
eat?” indicates he does not think they have the resources they need to feed such
a large crowd. Enter Andrew: who presents a child with five barley loaves and
two fish. He adds, “… but what good are these for so many?” Our resources often
don’t seem to be enough to address the enormity of our needs. Note, the five
loaves and two fish are a hint to biblical readers. The number seven symbolizes
completeness. It is as if John is telling the reader, “Keep your eyes open,
something is about to happen. God is about to do something really fulfilling.”
At this point the story voices our serious needs and our inability to address
them: large hungers and our minimal supplies and abilities to do anything about
them. But in the story Jesus takes over. He requests the people “recline.” This
is not going to be a rushed meal that just satisfies hungry stomachs. It will be
a feast which will not only feed them, but give the people a chance to reflect
on the source of the abundant food. There were 12 wicker baskets left over, more
than enough food. Ours is not a stingy, tightfisted God.
Isn’t it ironic that it is a child who has the food needed for the miracle? None
of the adults has what’s needed, but a child does. Does the child represent our
own vulnerable selves, and our limited resources to address the situations of
need we face? Or, should I do what Jesus does in the story: give thanks and
share what I have with others? Then I might notice how God multiplies, in
surprising ways, even small offerings. The crowd is filled by the food God
provides and also experiences God’s compassion for them in their need.
The Jewish converts who first heard John’s telling of the miracle would have
heard echoes of the story of their ancestors: how God delivered them from
captivity, led them 40 years across the desert and fed them bread each day – one
day at a time. The people knew the bread that they were about to eat was from
God because Jesus “gave thanks” for it.
There are people throughout the world, in our immediate surroundings, even
across the dinner table, who have physical and emotional needs. We might feel
inadequate to help them. Yet, we give thanks to God for what we have and, with
trust in our bountiful God, share it with them: our presence, a loving and
caring word, resources and our prayers. God can surprise us and multiply “the
bread” we offer those with hungry stomachs and spirits.
When Jesus fed the crowds he taught them about God’s unconditional love. The
only prerequisite they had to have to receive the food was their hunger. The
first Christians who gathered to break bread and share the cup, upon hearing
John’s story of the multiplication, would have been reminded that they were to
serve the hungers of those in need. That’s what God saw and that’s what Jesus
fed and those of us at the table today are to do the same for others.
Click here for a link to this
Sunday’s readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072824.cfm
JUSTICE BULLETIN
BOARD
I, a
prisoner for the Lord
Ephesians 4:1
In today’s Second Reading, Paul sees his
imprisonment as an aspect of his call. Yet, many in prison cannot help but
despair, overwhelmed with emotional darkness and loneliness. Awhile back I
received a letter from one such inmate who was reaching out to find someone to
accompany him spiritually. As a new Catholic, he found that the ministerial
staff at his prison had been eliminated. He had no one to turn to as all in his
family were dead. His cry was so palpable. Luckily, I found someone to reach out
to him in the Yokefellow Prison Ministry in his area http://yokefellowprisonministry.org/.
The rest of the readings today are about feeding. What this inmate needed for
his sustenance went far beyond having his stomach filled. In an interview with
Duke University, Sr. Helen Prejean, who has worked with many on Death Row,
states, “The best gift we ever give each other is our presence. And we all long
for that -- people’s undivided attention to be present to us. Husbands and wives
want it. Children want it from their parents. Students want it from their
teachers. Presence, to be able to be present -- and it has so taught me that
over all these years. Because you’ve got a cement floor, you’ve got bars, you’ve
got the two of you. And you learn to flow with the conversation and be present,
let the time be filled.”
http://www.faithandleadership.com/multimedia/helen-prejean-water-going-under-and-around-rock
Have you ever considered being present to someone in prison? We have
parishioners who are extremely active in helping inmates and, also, assist in
helping them once they get out of prison. Sandy Peace coordinates the Women’s
Prison Ministry here at the Cathedral and Deacon Mike Vandiver at
the Diocese of Raleigh coordinates the Men’s Prison Ministry. You can contact
either of them for more information before you make a commitment. Why don’t you
try it? You may find that it is yourself that will be most changed. They can be
reached through:
socialconcern@hnojnc.org
You could also consider joining the Paulist Fathers (PNCEA) prayer campaign that
can provide you with new understanding of both prisoners and victims. They
provide newsletters, Bibles, a learning guide, and prayer cards for Catholic
prisoners and other inmates seeking to learn about the Catholic faith and way of
life. Visit their website at:
https://www.pemdc.org/freeresources/prison-ministry/
Become spiritual food for those in prison.
Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director
Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice
Ministries
Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral,
Raleigh, NC
FAITH BOOK
Mini reflections on the
Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. “Faith Book”
is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take
home.
From today’s Gospel reading:
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,
and
distributed them to those who were reclining,
and also as much of the fish as they wanted.
Reflection:
After Jesus multiplies the food, he himself
distributes it. He is our host, the one whom we can trust to feed our hungers.
He will be with us to nourish us at each stage of life’s journey until, at last,
we arrive safely home for the everlasting banquet with him and each other.
So we ask ourselves:
POSTCARDS TO
DEATH ROW INMATES
“One has to strongly affirm that condemnation
to the death penalty is an inhuman measure that humiliates personal dignity,
in whatever form it is carried out."
---Pope Francis
Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each
week I am posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite
you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have
not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever
personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you
might consider becoming pen pals.
Please write to:
-
Rayford Burkes #0057308 (On death row since
4/1/1993)
-
John Burr #0058316 (4/21/1993)
-
Eugene Decastro #0104984 (4/28/1993)
----Central Prison, P.O. 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
Please note: Central Prison is in
Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a
clearing house at the above address in Maryland.
For more information on the Catholic position on
the death penalty go to the Catholic Mobilizing Network:
http://catholicsmobilizing.org/resources/cacp/
On this page you can sign “The National Catholic
Pledge to End the Death Penalty.” Also, check the interfaith page for People of
Faith Against the Death Penalty: http://www.pfadp.org/
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