SUNDAY, SEVENTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
2 Kgs 4: 42-44 Ps 145: 10-11,15-18 Eph 4: 1-6 Jn 6: 1-15
STRIVING FOR GOD’S KINGDOM
A close examination of the first reading and the Gospel of the day, brings out a few parallels. The characters in both the readings can be divided into three categories, viz, the benefactor, the intermediaries, and the beneficiaries. Elisha and Jesus fit into the first category. To the second, we have the servant of Elisha and the disciples of Jesus and to the third, we have the people who ate their fill. All three classes of people teach us important spiritual lessons.
The Benefactors: Both Elisha and Jesus were moved with compassion when they saw the people. They perceived the need of the other even before it was expressed. They were in full control of the situation because they knew that God was with them. From them we learn the values of empathy and kindness- to reach out to the poor, the marginalized and the oppressed who are in dire need. A need that is often stifled and silenced even before it is expressed. Elijah and Jesus also teach us to depend on God when we venture to serve them, not to count the cost or fear the opinion of others.
The Intermediaries: Were the intermediaries really needed? Couldn’t Elisah and Jesus multiply the food themselves without involving their disciples? Surely they could, but they didn’t, simply because they wanted to include their disciples in their ministry of benevolence. The Lord wants to involve us in His work of redemption and restoration. We have a part to play in the vineyard of the Lord. The servant of Elisha and the apostles of Jesus doubted their masters but when they allowed the Lord to use them as His instruments grace flowed through them and reached the people. Allow the Lord to use you as His instrument because the Lord has entrusted to you a mission that only you can fulfil. Be available and do not doubt your ability because the Lord chooses what the world considers weak and foolish to shame the strong. (cf. 1 Cor 1:27)
The Beneficiaries: We have all received so many blessings from the Lord. Some of these blessings have simply been unexpected gratuitous gifts. Are we grateful for all that the Lord has done for us or have we taken his benevolence for granted? Do we still complain about unanswered prayers? The people around Elisha and Jesus ate their fill and were satisfied. But they remained stuck in the material realm of self-satisfaction. They failed to transcend to the spiritual level from the material level and therefore Jesus would admonish them when they came searching for Him later by saying, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it is not because you saw these signs that you are looking for Me, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life…” (Jn 6:26,27) The Lord wants to bless us with so much more than material things, are we ready to transcend to the level of the spirit? Let go of your worries over mundane things and seek the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit and all other things will be added unto you. (cf. Mt 6:33)
There is yet another category of persons who serve as a fulcrum in both episodes. They are the providers and unto this category we have from the first reading a man from Baal-shalishah who presented Elisha with him twenty barley loaves made from the first fruits, and fresh grain in the ear and from the Gospel a boy with five barley loaves and two fish. Both are anonymous. What they have is of little value by the people around them. Yet, they presented all that they possessed for the work of the Lord and the Lord blessed and multiplied their offering making it more than sufficient for the need at hand. This category teaches us to come before the Lord, just as we are and with whatsoever we have. It may not be much, but the Lord who does not judge by appearance, looks at the heart and is pleased to bless the very desire we must serve Him. (cf. 1 Sam 16:7)
At different times we are called to play different roles in the service of the kingdom of God. What is most important is that we strive to live a life worthy of our call as Saint Paul would remind us in the second reading of the day.
Response: You open your hand, Lord, and you satisfy us.
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