HOMILY FOR MONDAY (05/08/2024), 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME B
{Jer 28:1-17; Mat 14:13-21}
Human needs are far more important than anything in the world. Invariably, there is more to life than meets the eye. Somebody had said that surely, life means more than food and the body more than clothing! Look at the birds in the sky (Matthew 6:26).
Today’s gospel is the account of the feeding of Jesus of the five thousand. This feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels. In this sense what is the significance of this miracle? This feeding of the five thousand strongly echoes that Exodus event which took place more than twelve centuries ago before Jesus has performed this miracle. The Book of Exodus (16:14) reported: “The Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day’”. Bread was the staple or basic food of people during Jesus’ time (rice for Filipinos).
In other words, Jesus puts human need ahead of everything else. His compassion shows the depths of God’s love and concern for all who are truly in need. He spiritually feeds the people of God by giving them God’s word. He physically feeds them also by giving them bread to satisfy their hunger for food. And so we can never intrude upon God nor exhaust his generosity and kindness. God’s generosity and kindness is always overflowing. He is ever ready to give to those who earnestly seek him out. God will provide.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we may not be able to feed the hungry millions in the world, but today’s Gospel challenges us to do our humble share in alleviating hunger and poverty in our neighborhood. God will amplify our little contributions and reward our good will and generosity. Let us be thankful to Jesus for feeding us spiritually with the word of God and with the Holy Eucharist
PAX VOBIS
Catholic Diocese of Ilorin, Kwara State,
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