These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. (Mt 14:13-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080524.cfm
The Feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew’s gospel highlights the importance of all the feeding stories in the gospels as well as the table ministry of Jesus. The Eucharist as we have it today comes directly from these stories. Saint Mary Major is one of the four major basilicas of the city of Rome: Saint Peter in the Vatican (November 18), Saint John Lateran (November 9) and Saint Paul Outside the Walls (November 18).
So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." So they said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst." (Jn 6:24-35)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080424.cfm
The Bread of Life that satisfies the deepest hungers of the human heart is Jesus himself. The challenge of the Bread of Life Discourse invites us to become what we celebrate and to be the Bread of Life for a hungry world.
Alleluia (Mt 5:10)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080324.cfm
The Beatitudes prepare us for the challenges of a life of faith. The people and leaders seeking to kill the prophet Jeremiah, King Herod beheading John the Baptist. The question comes, “Is it worth it?” Despite all the problems we may face, the Virgin Mary joyfully proclaims the greatness of the Lord!
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 69)
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I pray to you, O LORD, for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me with your constant help.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080224.cfm
Saint John Damascene (675-749) taught the church long ago that prayer is the lifting up of our hearts and minds to God. We can place all our needs before the Lord in confidence, because we trust in God’s great love for us revealed in the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus.
This word came to Jeremiah from the LORD: Rise up, be off to the potter’s house; there I will give you my message. I went down to the potter’s house and there he was, working at the wheel. Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased. (Jeremiah 18:1-6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080124.cfm
The image of the potter’s house tells us that God is not finished with us just yet. We might not turn out as God hopes, but God keeps working with our clay and re-forms us and re-makes us. Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) is remembered for his self-offering: “I love you, Jesus, my Love, more than myself. I repent of ever having offended you. Never permit me to offend you again. Grant that I might love you always, and then do with me what you will.”
