Aug. 3

August 3, 2015:  Monday, 18th week, Ordinary Time

See ten connections between my outfit
and today's readings and celebration?
Legend below

Listen

• Hungry (Falling on my knees)/ Scott

• Where is bread?/ Gillette (lyrics; pick an 87.87D tune)

• Yesterday's songs for the gospel fit today's gospel too.

• Sweet Honey in the Rock vocal ensemble (1st reading-inspired)

Pope Francis Angelus

The people gave more value to the bread than the Giver of the bread; Jesus highlighted the need to look beyond gift to Giver.  God is both!  Be open to perspective not only of preoccupation with material needs but to food that's not corruptible that we must seek.  Don't work for food that perishes but for food the Son will give us that endures.  We have a hunger for life, for eternity, that only the Bread of Life can satisfy.  Openness to meeting Jesus every day will illuminate our lives and give meaning to small gifts, sufferings and preoccupations.  The Eucharist is the greatest gift; it fulfills body and soul.

Our lives can be tortuous, but meeting and welcoming Jesus gives them meaning, hope, and the duty to satisfy others' spiritual and material needs.  We must announce the Gospel everywhere; with the witness of solidarity towards our neighbor, we make Christ and his love present.

Read

• Nm 11:4b-15  Israelites:  “Would that we had meat!  We miss the food we ate in Egypt.  We're famished now and see nothing but this manna.”  When Moses heard the people's cry, angering the Lord, he was grieved.  Moses to Lord:  “Why do you treat me so badly?  Why are you so displeased with me that you burden me with these people?  Where can I get meat for them?  They're too heavy for me to carry.  If you're going to deal with me like this, just kill me now....”

• Ps 81:12-17  "Sing with joy to God our help."  “My people didn't obey me, so I gave them up to their stubbornness and let them go their own way.  If they'd hear me and walk in my ways, I'd humble their enemies and fill them with honey from the rock....”

• Mt 14:13-21  When Jesus heard John the Baptist died, he withdrew, but the crowds followed him.  When he saw them, he was moved with pity and cured their sick.  At evening, the disciples asked Jesus to dismiss the crowds so they could eat, he told them to give them food instead, they said all they had were five loaves and two fish, he blessed and broke the loaves, the disciples gave them to the crowds, all were satisfied, and twelve baskets were left over.  About 5,000 men ate, plus women and children.

Reflect

• Creighton:  Jesus tried to take time to mourn his cousin's death, but he put his needs aside to minister to the crowds.  The disciples, not wanting the crowd to starve, suggested Jesus dismiss them, and Jesus told them to feed them.  He blessed the little they have, and they could feed everyone.  May we turn our gifts and hopes over to Jesus....

Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes
Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo

• One Bread One Body:  "What's your price?"  The Israelites would give up their freedom because they thought Egyptian food tastier than God's manna.  Moses would give up living rather than carry the complainers' burden.  Esau gave up his birthright rather than be hungry a few minutes more.  Demas gave up loving and serving the Lord in favor of living in the world.  Some lose their souls to gain the world.  What's my price, or is God more precious to you than all of it?

• Passionist:  Some say the miracle of the loaves and fishes was that people shared the food they brought, but I believe Jesus really multiplied the loaves and fish.  If I share my lunch with you, we'd each get half, but since they ate all they wanted, it seems there was more than sharing could provide.  We often think there's not enough, but when God provides, there's more than enough.  This story also points to the miracle of the Eucharist where Jesus gives himself as spiritual food every day....

• DailyScripture.net:  People were drawn to Jesus because they were hungry for God; his message and miracles stirred hope that God was acting to set people free and bring them blessings.  He never disappointed those who earnestly sought him out.  Jesus blessed the few loaves and fish they had so all could be satisfied and baskets were left over.  The miracle recalled the manna; that daily provision of food foreshadowed the heavenly bread Jesus passed on to his disciples at his last supper, the Eucharist that sustains us on our journey.  The miracle shows God's generosity and kindness.  God gives more than we need for ourselves so we may have something to share with those who lack what they need.  God multiplies what we have for the good of others. Do I trust that God provides?  Do I share freely?

• Today's saints, thanks to Universalis

• Germanus of Auxerre, lawyer turned bishop, missionary, fought Pelagianism; see Wikipedia.

• Oswald, king, brought Christianity to his people, man of prayer and charity to the needy.

• Æthelwold, abbot, bishop, founder, scholar, compiled Regularis Concordia, translated Rule of St. Benedict, built churches, supported church art, recognized as saint but not canonized.

Dress legend

• 'Fish' pin:  "We remember the fish we ate in Egypt" (1st reading); "we only have 5 loaves and 2 fish" (gospel)

• 'Musical note' tie pin:  "Sing with joy to God our help." (psalm)

• 'Hearts' suspenders:  "I gave them up to the hardness of their hearts" (psalm)

• 'Wheat' pin:  "I'd feed Israel with the best of wheat..." (psalm)

• 'Honey' tie, 'rock' tie pin:  "... and fill them with honey from the rock" (psalm)

• 'Precious feet' pin:  The crowds followed Jesus on foot (gospel)

• 'Abacus' tie pin:  'Multiplication' of the loaves and fishes (how to multiply)  (gospel)

• Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season

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