Theme

Eighteenth Sunday of the Year *3^rdAugust 2008*
Theme :	*‘Do you care enough to share?’*
1st. Reading:	Isaiah 55: 1-3
2nd Reading:	Romans 8:35, 37-39
Gospel :	Matthew 14:13 -21

Dear Friend,

In the rat race of life we quickly learn to be go-getters, to grab what is on offer, to satisfy our needs first and only then think of others. We naturally tend to be grabbers rather than givers. It is only when we are touched by love that we begin to care and share with others. The needs of a hungry world, with its many hungers challenge us to think of others rather than of ourselves. But only when our deepest hunger is satisfied can we think of others. Have a fulfilling weekend discovering that God alone can satisfy us!

Fr. Jude Botelho

Today’s first reading from Isaiah is a psalm composed during a period of great want, probably during the exile, with the intention of leading the people to discover another hunger – for the bread of that Word which God is always willing to give in abundance. It contains an invitation, addressed to the exiles in Babylon, to come to a banquet. The banquet stands for the life of love and friendship God wishes to share with his people. The normal experience of life is that the people have to pay for food and the daily necessities that sustain them. God is inviting them to free sustenance in abundance, given to believers.

The Greater Hunger
Victor Hugo, in Ninety-Three, tells the story of a French mother who, after the revolution, had been driven from her home with her two children. She had wondered through the woods and fields for several days, living on roots and leaves. On the third day they had hidden in some bushes on the approach of two soldiers and a captain and a sergeant. The captain ordered a search and they found the woman and the children and brought them to the captain who immediately saw that they were starving. He gave them a long loaf of brown French bread. The mother took it eagerly, like a famished animal, broke it into two pieces, giving one piece to one child and the other piece to the other. The sergeant looked up at the captain and said, “Is it because the mother is not hungry?” The captain replied, “No, sergeant, it is because she is a mother!”
‘Homiletic Review’

In the second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, he gives hope to the believer. Paul assures the Christians that no matter what bad times we may have to go through, the Christian remains undaunted because he is certain that Christ loves us. We may be troubled, worried, persecuted or lacking food or clothes or threatened or attacked, but we can triumph over all through the power of Jesus Christ. We can be deprived of many things but nothing can separate us from the love of God made visible in Jesus Christ.

Encouragement
Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the famous nineteenth-century poet and artist, was once approached by an elderly man. The old fellow had some sketches and drawings that he wanted Rossetti to look at and tell him if they were any good, or if they at least showed potential talent. Rossetti looked them over carefully. After the first few he knew they were useless, showing not the least sign of talent. But Rossetti was a kind man, and he told the elderly man as gently as possible that the pictures were without much value and showed little talent. The visitor was disappointed but he asked whether he would just look at a few more drawings –once done by a young art student? Rossetti looked at the second batch and immediately enthused over the talent they revealed. “These” he said, “are good. The young student has great talent and should be given every encouragement and help in his career. He has a great future, if he will work hard and stick to it.” Rossetti could see that the old man was deeply moved. “Who is this young artist? He asked. “Your son?” “No” said the old man sadly. “It was me forty years ago. If only I had heard your praise then! For you see, I got discouraged and gave up –too soon.”

Anonymous

In today’s gospel we hear of how Jesus tries to make his getaway to a quiet and lonely place to be by himself. He had heard of the violent death of his precursor John the Baptist and he wished to withdraw in the wilderness. But the crowds seek out Jesus. When Jesus sees them following him he has no desire to run away from them. He knows why they are looking out for him. They have come in large numbers with their families and friends with the hope that he will do something for them. He feels sorry for them and has compassion on them. He still ministers to the sick and needy when evening comes. The situation worries the disciples. How can they manage these large numbers? They see the crowd as a problem to be sorted out and they give Jesus some pastoral advice. “Send the people to the villages and they can buy food from the villages and you will be left alone.” But Jesus challenges the disciples, “Give them something to eat yourselves. “ They point to the little they have, five loaves and two fish that a boy in the crowd is ready to share. Jesus takes the little that they have, raises his eyes to heaven, blesses it and gives it to the disciples to give to the crowd. Matthew says that the little that they had offered to Jesus was sufficient for everyone there, they have more than enough. After all have had their fill the disciples collected the leftovers, twelve baskets full. God is never stingy, he gives us more than we need, He is a lavish giver. The little that we put in the hands of Jesus becomes much for the needs of the world.

A modern version of the miracle
Mother Teresa fed nine thousand people every day in Calcutta. But she couldn’t have done so without the generosity of many people around the world, and the assistance of her sisters and lay helpers. Here is an example of the kind of generosity which made the daily miracle possible. One day a young couple came to the house of Mother Teresa and gave her a large sum of money. “Where did you get so much money?” Mother Teresa asked. “We were married two days ago” they replied. We decided not to have a wedding feast, but to give the money to feed the poor instead.” “Why would you do this?” she asked. “Because we love each other and wanted to begin our married life with an act of sacrifice,” they replied. What made their act of generosity all the more amazing was the fact that both of them were high-caste Hindus, who normally would have nothing to do with the poor.
Flor McCarthy in ‘New Sunday and Holy Day Liturgies’

Soup Stone
One day a village woman was surprised to find a well dressed stranger at her door asking for something to eat. “I’m sorry,” she said. “But I have nothing in the house right now.” “Not to worry,” said the amiable stranger. I have a soup stone in my bag; if you will let me put it in a pot of boiling water, I’ll make the most delicious soup in the world. A large pot please.” The woman gave him a pot. He put the stone into it and filled the pot with water. As he put it on the fire the woman whispered the secret of the soup stone to a neighbour. Soon all the neighbours had gathered to see the stranger and his soup stone. When the water began to boil, the stranger tasted a spoonful and exclaimed, “Very tasty! All we need is some potatoes.” “I have potatoes at home,” shouted one woman and was back with a large quantity of sliced potatoes, which she place in the pot. The stranger tasted the brew again. “Excellent”, he said, and added, “If only we had some meat, this would become a tasty stew." Another housewife rushed home to bring some meat which the stranger gratefully accepted and deposited in the soup. When he tasted the broth again, he rolled his eyes heavenwards and said, “Delicious! If only we had some vegetables, it would be perfect. One of the neighbours rushed home and returned with a basket full of carrots and onions. After these had been put in, the stranger tasted the mixture and in a voice of command said, “Salt and sauce.” “Right here,” said the housewife. Then came another command, “Bowls for everyone,” People rushed off to their homes in search of bowls. Some even brought back bread and fruit. Then all sat down to a delicious meal while the stranger handed out large helpings of his incredible soup. Everyone felt strangely happy as they laughed and talked and shared their very first meal. In the middle of the merriment the stranger slipped quietly away, leaving behind the miraculous soup stone, which they used anytime they wanted to make the loveliest soup in the world.

Flor McCarthy in ‘New Sunday & Holy Day Liturgies’

“Of the six gospel accounts of the multiplication of the loaves, this is the only one in which Jesus directly associated his disciples in the multiplication and sharing. In commemorating the event, the Church sees in it the living announcement of the redemption. The prophecy of what would take place through her mediation, when in her turn she would be entrusted with the task of giving the human multitudes the Word and the Bread. … After the address in parables, the new Moses makes a final attempt to show the chosen people that God can always satisfy their deepest hunger, as he had formerly done in the desert, and make them a people built on faith. A striking summary of what will later be their function in the Church is contained in that order Jesus gave to his disciples: “Give them something to eat yourselves!” They thought at first that they would be able to pass on to others the task of feeding the hungry crowds. But instead it is they who must do it, even if they have to recognize their powerlessness, with the five loaves and the two fish which make up their slender provisions. A real act of worship takes place in which Jesus is the central figure and the apostles are the necessary ministers: the bringing of offerings, their presentation, the act of thanksgiving over the gifts, their distribution by Jesus to the apostles, and by them to the crowds. How true it is that the Church will never lack, in the desert of this world, the Eucharistic bread multiplied by the ministry of the twelve.” - Glenstal Bible Missal

Miracle of bread or miracle of hearts
Some commentators suggest that the miracle was not so much on the loves and the fish but on the hearts of the people. While there is no proper basis for this interpretation, at least it lets our imagination build up a story about the miracle. “Give them something to eat yourselves,” said Jesus to the disciples. “But,” they said (forgetting that Jesus never liked ‘but’ for it is an excuse word) “But all we have is our own little basket with five loaves and two fish.” “Haven’t I told you to sell everything to buy the treasure in your heart? And don’t you remember the proverb, “He who gave us teeth will also give us bread.” So now give them something to eat yourselves.” So the disciples bravely broke up the loaves and cut the fish into little sections and gave a little tit-bit to…some say, as many as forty people got a bit. Not much, but tasty. And then the miracle happened. People were ashamed of their selfishness when they saw the disciples gave away all they had. And before you knew it, there were packets of sandwiches, and boxes and baskets appearing from deep pockets and hoods and goodness-knows-where. And satchels of water and fruit juice, goat’s milk and wine. Everybody was fed and the twelve who had given away all they had, got back a full basket each. And all who saw what happened that day knew that the smile of God is kind and full of compassion.

Sylvester O’Flynn in ‘The Good News of Matthew’s Gospel’

May we discover that the little we offer becomes much in God’s hands!

Fr. Jude Botelho
judebotelho@niscort.com

P.S. :The stories, incidents and anecdotes used in the reflections have been collected over the years from books as well as from sources over the net and from e-mails received. Every effort is made to acknowledge authors whenever possible. If you send in stories or illustrations I would be grateful if you could quote the source as well so that they can be acknowledged if used in these reflections. I would be happy if you could link this website to your own parish/diocesan/institutional website. If you wish to receive these reflections by e-mail, or send them to a friend, do send in the e-mail address to <jude@netforlife.plus.com>

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