Scripture:
2 Kings 4:42-44
Ephesians 4:1-6
John 6:1-15
Reflection:
Our readings today reflect the generosity of a loving, nurturing God. Twenty barley loaves brought from a man from Baal-shalishah fed over a hundred people with some left over. Five barley loaves and two fish were multiplied and fed over five thousand people with some left over as well. God has planted a generous heart in each of us to share what we have with those who have so little. As prisoners of the Lord, we are called to live in a manner worthy of this call. A spirit of humility, gentleness, and patience must shine forth to those we serve in the name of Jesus Christ. Our overall message must center around our call to profess one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all! How do we do this, how do we answer this clarion call as mere human beings, sinful and in need of being fed ourselves?!
The responsorial psalm today gives us not only a reminder, but a blueprint as well on how we as prisoners of the Lord are called to serve.
“The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.”
My call to serve began at my premature birth and subsequent emergency baptism 71 years ago. I come from a family of eight, watched over and guided by parents who celebrate 85 years of marriage on this day as they happily rest in peace and joy in the kingdom of God! We grew up surrounded by love and care, knowing that we were indeed blessed by a God who answers all our needs! We learned early on to care for others who were not as fortunate as us and to be generous and happy to do this. Life was not always easy and oftentimes we did not agree with God’s timeline! Overall, we found great joy in helping those in need in our family, church and community. Whether it was shoveling walks for elderly neighbors, baking cakes for the local soup kitchen, reading to younger brothers and sisters, working to advance better living conditions as part of the fair housing community or being present and patient with our oldest brother living with cerebral palsy to accomplish even the smallest task.
There are many needs in our families, neighborhoods, communities locally and nationally. We can get caught up in the big picture and get overwhelmed quite easily. It is important to take time to feed ourselves, to withdraw as Jesus did, to replenish the well. Summertime offers us more of an opportunity to do this. I encourage all of us to go away to the mountain, the lakeshore, the woods. Take time during these fleeting summer days to enjoy family and friend time on the deck, at cookouts, church gatherings. Make it a point to celebrate eucharist wherever you find yourself, listen to the scripture proclaimed and be nourished at the Table of the Lord. Feed others as you are being fed. Summer blessings!
Theresa Secord is a retired Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.