July 28
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.”
Readings
Reflection
In today’s readings from the Second Book of Kings and the Gospel of John, we are remind how our God meets our needs.
In the first reading, we see how a limited number of barley loaves made from the firstfruits of the harvest are able to feed one hundred people, while the servant who brought the loaves to Elisha, the man of God, thought this as an impossibility. Elisha assured the servant that the Lord God would provide for his people. As a result, there was food left over, as the Lord had said.
John’s Gospel tells a similar story of need, and fulfillment. The familiar story of the loaves and fishes reminds us that we must participate with God by using our gifts and talents to care for each other, and ourselves. When we cooperate with God in this way, we need not worry about where our next meal will come from. We understand that God nourishes us by His Word and the Body and Blood of Christ.
We are mistaken, however, if these stories lead us to believe that God is only there when we are helpless. God’s providence is operating in our lives at all times, although we may not sense His presence. God consistently gives us more than we need, therefore we are called to share what we have without concern, knowing that God gives us food in due season, and will satisfy every persons desire to be nourished!
Peace,
Would you like to receive these reflections in your inbox? Subscribe to The Sunday Read newsletter.