SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Also Read: Mass Readings for 25 July 2021
First Reading: Second Kings 4: 42-44
“They shall eat and have some left”. He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.
There is a famine in the land of Gilgal, the setting of this miracle. (2Kings 4:38) The man brings his first fruits to Elisha, but Elisha has compassion for the people before him and feeds them. One hundred people were fed with the 20 loaves of barley. (42) This event foreshadows Christ’s feeding of the 5000 men. (Mt. 14:13-21)
Here, we see Elisha showing similar compassion for people suffering during the famine. By the power of God, the man of God is able to feed the suffering souls; even in a drought! Praise God!
May we find the man of God within us today! In this prevalent time of scarcity, may we reach out in compassion! May we walk in faith, that the Lord of All will provide bountifully through the meager resources available to us!
Above all, there is a famine in the hearts of men today! May there be a conversion in all! Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 145: 10-11, 15-16, 17-18
All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you. (10)
If we truly believe we are God’s work, we will always give him thanks for everything.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (18)
We must call on him in truth – (i.e.) With a contrite and pure heart, without any ulterior motive or selfish desires.
Second Reading: Ephesians 4: 1-6
With all humility and gentleness, with patience bearing with one another, in love. (2)
We the children of God are called to this way of living. It is in the daily actions that we conform to the above attitudes. But what happens when we are at the receiving end of an entirely opposite attitude thrown at us? Do we continue endlessly in patience?
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling. (4)
If there is one hope in our calling, then how is it that there appears from time to time; a discord in the spirit among our brethren? Are we then to understand that there is a difference in their spirits to ours? Do we then, imply that they do not belong to the same fold as us?
We could recognize them, by their grateful hearts (or not)! Amen!
Gospel: John 6: 1-15
Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. (5,6)
Jesus tests Philip! Wow! Do we find ourselves in a test at times? Do we trust the Lord enough to multiply our barley loaves? Can we seek out the boy in the crowd carrying the barley loaves? Are we able to listen to the suggestions of our true friends around us? Above all, do we recognize those angels disguised as well-wishers/friends?
The Holy Spirit within us guides and directs our thoughts every time. If we would humble ourselves to his promptings and do his bidding, we would recognize the angels and the words of wisdom issued our way. Instead of counting the months of wages, we would need to provide for the huge multitude; we would look at Jesus and know! We would know who holds our tomorrow! Amen!
