FOOD OF THE POOR - 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A)

Homily for the 18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A)

Based on Mt 14:13-21 (Gospel), Is 55:1-3 (First Reading) and (Second Reading)

From the Series: “Reflections and Teachings of the Desert”

FOOD OF THE POOR

“Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing.” (Mt 14:19)

The Gospel narrative for this  18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A) is taken from Mt 14:13-21. Title for this gospel is “First miracle of the loaves.” Parallel texts are:

1.       Mt 15:32-38 - Second Miracle of the loaves. But Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them off hungry, they might collapse on the way (v. 32).’ The disciples aid to him, ‘Where could we get enough bread in this deserted place to feed such a crowd? (v. 33)’ Jesus said to them, ‘How many loaves have you? ‘seven’ they said ‘and a few small fish (v. 34)’. The he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground (v. 35), and he took the seven loaves and two fish, and he gave thanks and broke them and handed them to the disciples who gave them to the crowds (v. 36). They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected what was left of the scraps, seven basket full (v. 37). Now four thousand men had eaten, to sy nothing of women and children (v. 38).

2.       Mk 6:31-44 - Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time to eat (v. 31). So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves (v. 32). But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them (v. 33). So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length (v. 34). By now it was getting very late, and his disciples came up to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place and it is getting very late (v. 35), so send them away, and they can go to the farms and villages round about, to but themselves something to eat’ (v. 36). He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves’. They answered, ‘Are we to go and spend two hundred denarii on bread for them to eat? (v. 37)’ How many loaves have you? He asked ‘Go and see’. And when they had found out they said, ‘Five, and two fish’ (v. 38). Then he ordered them to get all the people together in groups on the green grass (v. 39),and they sat down on the ground in squares of hundred and fifties (v. 40). Then he took the five loaves and two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing; then he broke the loaves and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the people. He also shared out the two fish among them all (v. 41). They all ate as much as they wanted (v. 42). They collected twelve basketfuls of scraps of bread and pieces of fish (v. 43). Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men (v. 44).

3.       Lk 9:10-17- On their return the apostles gave him an account of all they had done. Then he took them with him and withdrew to a town call Bethsaida where they could be by themselves (v. 10). But the crowds got to know and they went after him. He made them welcome and talked to them about the kingdom of God; and he cured those who were in need of healing (v. 11). It was late afternoon when the Twelve came to him and said, ‘Send the people away, and they can go to the villages and farms round about to find lodging and food; for we are in a lonely place here’ (v. 12).He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves’. But they said, ‘We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we are to go out ourselves and buy food for all these people’ (v. 13). For there were about five thousand men, But he said to his disciples, ‘Get them to sit down in parties of about fifty’ (v. 14). They did so and made them all sit down (v. 15). Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, and said the blessing over them; then he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the crowd (v. 16). They all ate as much as they wanted, and when the scraps remaining were collected they filled twelve baskets (v. 17).

4.       Jn 6:1-13- Sometime after this, Jesus went off to the other side of the Sea of Galilee – or of Tiberias – (v. 1) and a large crowd followed him, impressed by the signs he gave by curing the sick (v. 2). Jesus climbed the hillside, and sat down there with his disciples(v. 3). It was shortly before the Jewish feast of Passover^a (v. 4) Looking up, Jesus saw the crowd approaching and said to Philip, “Where can we buy some bread for these people to eat? (v. 5)”  He only said this to test Philip; he himself knew exactly what he was going to do (v. 6). Philip answered, ‘Two hundred denarii would only buy enough to give them a small piece each’. (v. 7). One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said (v. 8),‘There is a small boy here with five barley loaves and two fish; but what is that between so many?’ (v. 9).Jesus said to them, ‘Make the people sit down’. There was plenty of grass there, and as many as five thousand men sat down (v. 10).Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and gave them out to all who were sitting ready; he then did the same with the fish, giving out as much as was wanted (v. 11).When they had eaten enough he said to his disciples, ‘Pick up the pieces left over, so that nothing gets wasted’ (v. 12).So they picked them up, and filled twelve hampers with scraps left over from the meal of barley loaves (v. 13). Footnote ^a says “ The bread Jesus gives is to be the new Passover.”

Verse 13 says: When Jesus received this news he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot^c. Footnote  ^c says “On shore the crowd hurried to the place the boat was making for.”; and Footnote ^d - says “This miraculous bread, though not the Holy Eucharist, clearly prefigures and leads up to it. This is the view of the Fathers and indeed of the evangelists before them; cf. v. 19 with 26:26, and cf. Jn 6:1-15, 51-58.”

Parallel texts are:

1.       Mt 9:36 - And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.^o Footnote ^o says “Familiar biblical metaphor: Nb 27:17; 1 K 22:17; Jdt 11:19; Ezk 34:5.”

2.       Mt 15:32 - But Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them off hungry, they might collapse on the way.

Verses 14, 15 and 16 say: So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and he healed their sick. When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so end the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves’.

Parallel text of verse 14 is  Mt 8:3 that says: Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said, ‘Of course I want to! Be cured!’  And his leprosy was cured at once.^a Footnote ^a says “By his miracle Jesus his power over nature (8:23-27; 14:22-33p),  especially over sickness (8:1-4,5-13, 14-15; 9:1-8, 20-22, 27-31; 14:14,36; 15:30; 20:29-34 and p; Mk. 7:32-37; 8:22-26; Lk. 14:1-6; 17:11-19; Jn. 5:1-16; 9:1-41), over death ( Mt 9:23-26p ;Lk 7:11:19; Jn 11: 1-44), over devils (Mt 8:29+). Christ miracles are not elaborate: in this they differ from the fantastic prodigies reported of the Hellenistic world of from those attributed to the Jewish rabbis, but they are most notably different by reason of the spiritual and symbolic significance that Jesus attaches to them. They declare the judgments of the messianic age (21:18-22p) as also privileges  it brings (11:5+;14:13-21;15:32 -39p; Lk 5:4-11; Jn 2:1-11 ; 21:4-14); they are the first signs of the triumph of the spirits over Satan’s empire (8:29+) and over all the powers  of evil whether  sin passion (20:34; Mk 1:41; Lk 7:13) butt  they are directed principally to the Strengthening of faith (8:10+; Jn 2;11+). This it is only with great deliberation that Jesus works any miracles at all, demanding secrecy for any he does agree to work (Mk 1:34+), and leaving it for force decision (12:39-40). When he sent his apostles to preach the kingdom he gave his own healing power (10:1,8p) and for this reason Matthew recounts before the missionary Discourse (ch. 10) a series of ten miracles (ch. 8-9 as sign accrediting the missionary (Mk 16:17f; Ac 2:22;cf. 1-8+).“

Verses 17 and 18 say: But they answered, ‘All we have with us is five loaves and the two fish’. ‘Bring them here to me’ he said…

 Parallel text of verse  17 is 1 K 19:21that says: Elisha turned away, took the pair of oxen and slaughtered them. He used the plough for cooking the oxen, then gave it to his men, who ate. He then rose  and followed Elijah and became his servant.

Verse 19 says: He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves he handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds.^d

Footnote  ^d  says  “This miraculous bread, though not the Holy Eucharist, clearly prefigures and leads up to it. This is the view of the Fathers and indeed of the evangelists before them; cf. v. 19 with 26:26, and cf. Jn 6:1-15, 51-58.”

Parallel text of verse is that says:

1.       Jn 11:41 - So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted up his eyes^j and said: ‘Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer. I knew indeed that you always hear me, but  I speak for the sake of all these who stand round me, so that they may believe it was you who sent me.’ Footnote ^j says “Add. ‘upwards’, ‘to heaven’, ‘upwards to heaven’.”

2.       Jn 17:1 - After saying this, Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘Father, the hour has come: glorify your Son so that your Son may glorify you..^b Footnote ^b  says  “When Jesus asked to be ‘glorified’, it is not in his own interests, cf. 7:18; 8:50, but the glory of Son and father are not one, cf. 12:28; 13:31.”

Verses 20 and 21 say: They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining. Those who ate numbered about five thousand men, to say nothing of women and children.

Parallel text of verse 20 is Mt 16:9 that says: Do you not yet understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand and the number of basket you collected?

The First Reading is taken from  Is 55:1-3, under the topic: “Food of the Poor.”

Verse 1 says: Oh, come to the water all who are thirsty; though you have not money, come! Buy corn without money, and eat,^a and, at no cost, wine and milk (v. 1). (v. 2). Footnote  ^a says “Hebr. adds ‘come and buy’ absent from Greek and DSIa.”

Parallel text of verse is that says:

1.       Is 12:3 And you will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

2.       Ps 36:9- Yes, with you is the fountain of  life,^f  by your light we see the light.^g Footnote ^f  says “‘life’ means prosperity, peace, happiness, cf. 133:3. The ‘fountain of life’ in Pr is wisdom, Pr 13:14; 16:22; 18:4, and the fear of God, 14:27. This passage is applied to Christ, the life and light of men, cf. Jn passim.”; and Footnote  ^g  says “The ‘light of the face’ of God, 27:1; 89:15; Jb29:3, is his benevolence, cf. 4:6+; in it man finds the ‘light’ of happiness.”

3.       Sg 5:1 - I come into my garden, my sister, my promised bride, I gather my myrrh and balsam, I eat my honey and my honeycomb, I drink my wine and my milk. Eat, friends, and drink, drink deep, my dearest friends.^a Footnote ^a says “The Israelites, invited to enjoy the happiness of the new era.”

4.       Si 51:25  - I opened my mouth and spoken: ‘Buy her without money…

5.       Mt 10:8- Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge.

6.       Jn 4:1 - When Jesus^b heard that the Pharisees had found out that he was making and baptizing more disciples than John…Footnote ^b  says “Var. ‘the Lord’.”

7.       Ac 8:20 - Peter answered, ‘May your silver be lost forever, and you with it, for thinking that money could buy what God has given for nothing!^g Footnote ^g says “The Holy Spirit is supremely the gift of God, cf. 2:38; 10:45; 11:17; Lk 11:9,13; the idea recurs in the Veni Creator.”

8.       Rv 3:18 - I warn you buy from me the gold that had been tested in the fire^k to make you really rich, and white robes to cloth you and cover your shameful nakedness, and eye ointment to put on your eyes so that you are able to see^l Footnote ^k says “The true riches that are of the spirit.”; and Footnote ^l says “The clothing and the eye ointment are, of course, needed to repair the ‘blindness and nakedness’ of v. 17; but there may be a special point in this as an allusion to the local products for which Laodicea was known.

9.       Rv 21:6 - And he said, ‘It is already done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give water from the well of life free to anybody who is thirsty…^f Footnote ^f says “In the OT fresh, drinking water is a symbol of life, and as such is to be a feature of the messianic age. in the NT, it is a symbol of the Spirit, cf. Jn 4:1+.”

10.   Rv  22:17 - The Spirit and the Bride^f say, ‘Come’. Let everyone who listens answer, ‘Come’.^g Then let all who are thirsty come: all who want it may have the water of life, and have it free. Footnote ^f says “The Church, the wife of the Messiah, cf. 21:10.”; and Footnote ^g says “The appeal is addressed to the Messiah: it is the Marana tha refrain of the liturgical assemblies, 1 Co 16:22, expressive of the Christians’ longing for the parousia, see 1 Th 5:1+.”

Verse 2 says: Why spend money on what is not bread, your wages on what fails to satisfy? Listen, listen to me and you will have good things to eat and rich food to enjoy.

Parallel text of verse is that says:

1.       Ps 81:8 - Listen, you are my people, let me warn you. Israel, if you would only listen to me!

2.       Pr 9:3-6 - She has dispatched her maidservants and proclaimed from the city’s heights (v. 3): ‘Who is ignorant? Let him step this way.’ To the fool she says (v. 4), ‘Come and eat my bread, drink the wine I have prepared! (v. 5). Leave your folly and you will live, walk in the ways of perception’ (v. 6).

3.       Si 24:19-22 - Approach me, you who desire me, and take your fill of my fruits (v. 19), for memories of me are sweeter than honey, inheriting me is sweeter than the honeycomb (v. 20). They who eat me will hunger for more, they who drink me will thirst for more (v. 21). Whoever listens to me will never have to blush, whoever acts as I dictate will never sin (v. 22).

4.       Jn 6:35 - Jesus answered: ‘I amⁱ the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst.^j  Footnote   ⁱ says “The Greek phrase ego eimi recalls the name that God revealed to Moses, Ex 3:14+, cf. Jn 8:24+, but here (and frequently elsewhere) it also forms the prelude to the explanation of a parable. In this case the parable is not in words but in action: the gift of the manna and the multiplication of the loaves are explained as parables of Christ’s gift of himself, the true bread.”; and Footnote ^j says “As Wisdom invites man to her table, Pr. 9:1f, so does Jesus. Jn sees him as the Wisdom of God which, in the OT revelation, was already moving towards personification, cf. 1:1+. This perception springs from Christ’s own teaching already recorded in the Synoptics, Mt 11:19; Lk 11:31p, but given here much more clearly by Jn. Tus, Christ’s origin is mysterious, Jn 7:27-29; 8:14,19; cf. Jb 28:20-28; he alone knows the secrets of God and reveals them to man, 3:11-12,31-32; cf. Mt 11:25-27p; Ws 9:13-18; Ba 3:29-38; he is the living bread that supremely satisfies, 6:35; cf. Pr 9:1-6; Si 24:19-22, if men will only come to him, 3:20,21; 5:40; 6:35,37,44,65; 7:37; cf. Pr 9:4-5; Si 24:19; Mt 11:28; but they must seek him before it is too late, 7:34; 8:21; cf. Pr 1:28. Cf. also Is. 55:1-3. For Paul’s teaching, cf. 1 Co 1:24+.

Verse 3 says: Pay attention, come to me; listen, and your soul will live. With you I will make an everlasting covenant^b out of the favors promised to David. Footnote  ^b says “On this everlasting covenant, 59:21; 61:8, which is also the new covenant, see Jr 31:31+.”

Parallel text of verse is that says:

1.       Jn 7:37 - On the last day and greatest day of the festival,^o Jesus stood there and cried out: ‘If any man is thirsty, let him come to me!^p Let the man come and drink. Footnote ^o says “The day, the 7^th or perhaps the 8^th, celebrating the end of the festival.”; and Footnote ^p says “Om ‘to me’. Christ’s invitation resembles that of Divine Wisdom, cf. 6:35+.”

2.       Ps 119:175 - Long may my soul live to praise you, long be your rulings my help!

3.       2 S 23:5 - Yes, my house stands firm with God: he has made an everlasting covenant with me, all in order, well assured; does he not bring to flower all that saves me, all I desire?

4.       Ps 89:28  - ‘I will keep my love for him always, my covenant with him shall stand…

5.       2 S 7:1 - Once David had settled into his house and Yahweh had given him rest from all the enemies surrounding him…

6.       Ac 13:34 - The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to return to corruption, is no more that what he had declared: To you I shall give the sure and holy things promised to David^x Footnote ^x says “The quotation from Is introduces the reference to Ps 16 (the ‘holy things promised to –lit. ‘of’-David’ are explained as the assurance to David in Ps 16 that ‘the holy one of God’ would not experience corruption).”

7.       Rv 1:5 - and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the Firstborn of the dead, the Ruler of the kings of the earth.ⁱ He loves us and washed away^j our sins with his blood…Footnote ^I says “The Messiah is the ‘witness’ to the promise that was made to David, 2 S 7:1+; Ps 89, Is 55:3-4; Zc 12:8, both in his person and in his work; as he fulfills this promise he is the efficacious word, God’s yes, Rv 3:14; 19:11,13; 2 Co 1:20. Not only is he heir to David, Rb 5:5, 22:16, but his resurrection he is the ‘First -born’, Col 1:18, who will reign over the universe when his enemies have been destroyed, Dn 7:14; Rv 19:16.”; and Footnote ^j says “Var. ‘released us from’. “

The Second Reading is taken from Rm 8:35, 37-39.

Verses 35, 37, 38 and 39 say: Nothing can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled, or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food and clothes, or being threatened, or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us. For I am certain of these: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth,^s nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord. Footnote ^s says “The ‘powers’, ‘heights’ or ‘depths’ are probably the mysterious cosmic forces which to the mind of antiquity were in general hostile to mankind. Cf.Ep 1:21; 3:18.”

Parallel text of verse 37 is Jn 16:33 that says: “‘I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world.’”