18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 3, 2008

INTRODUCTION – (Isaiah 55:1-3, Romans 8:35, 37-39, Matthew 14:13-21) Today’s first reading sounds like an invitation to a summer picnic. But it is not. The prophet was speaking to God’s people who were captives and exiles in Babylon over 500 years before Christ, announcing that their captivity was ended. God was getting ready to bring them back home. The rich and abundant food mentioned in this reading symbolized the blessings they would soon enjoy. Those who come to receive God’s blessings will be satisfied beyond their wildest dreams and those who come to him would receive these blessings free of charge. Notice how often the word “come” is used. Too often we allow temptation to lead us away from God, looking for happiness and satisfaction in the wrong places only to end up paying dearly for something that was worth little or nothing. If the food mentioned here sounds pretty common and ordinary, I’m sure some of the foods mentioned were luxuries for an exiled and enslaved people! Our first reading is meant to prepare us for the gospel where Jesus feeds a multitude in a miraculous way.

HOMILY – There was a minister who began his sermon every Sunday by first bowing his head for a moment of prayer. One day his little daughter asked him why he did that. He was pleased that his daughter noticed this gesture of prayer he started with and he told her “I ask God to help me preach a good sermon.” Then she said, “Then why doesn’t he help you do it?” Notice, I never bow my head before I preach for fear some one might say that to me some day!

    Seriously though, the little girl found out God doesn’t always give us everything we ask for. But in today’s first reading he tells us he will give us what we truly need if we come to him. In the gospel we hear how Jesus responded to the needs of the people who came to him.

    St. Matthew describes Jesus feeding the people by telling us: “he took bread, said the blessing, broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples.” The connection with the Eucharist is obvious and deliberate. As St. Matthew tells us about the miracle of the loaves and fishes, he wants us to be aware of how Jesus feeds us in a miraculous way in the Eucharist.

    There was an article in the Catholic Telegraph this past week describing a study of Catholics in Britain. I’m sure it’s the same on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. The study said many Catholics are getting away from regular Mass attendance and the sacraments because of the high stress in their lives. They are exhausted by the end of the week with all the demands of home and job, and Church is just one more thing to do and the easiest thing to skip. The report said “Families who do go to Mass regularly are making tremendous sacrifices to do so.”

    And yet, this is where we will best find the strength and help we need to cope and to survive. Jesus promises it to us. Research has shown that, in general, those who attend Church regularly live happier and more successful lives. It is natural for us to think of Jesus feeding us when we go to Holy Communion. For he feeds us then with his own body and blood. But another way he feeds us that we may not think of is with his word. He tells us in the first reading: “come to me heedfully,” in other words come alert and attentively. He tells us “listen, that you may have life.”

    Before Jesus feeds us with himself in Communion, he feeds our minds and hearts with his word. We hear over and over how our health is affected by the food we eat. What we feed our minds affects, not only our heath, but  also our moods, our attitudes, our values, our relationships with others and with God. Questions we might ask ourselves are: 1) How much time do we spend reading trash? 2) How many hours a day is the TV on in our homes? 3) How much time do we sit at our Lord’s feet letting him feed our minds and hearts with his presence? 4) How willing are we to believe him when he says: “heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life.” On average, I spend two hours a day in prayer. I’m not saying this to brag, but to assure you it is a real source of strength for me.

    I would like to give an example of someone whose life changed and who was a dynamic force for good in the world because he let our Lord feed his mind and heart. The example is from the life of St. Ignatius Loyola who started the Jesuit order. He died in Rome on this day (July 31st) almost 450 years ago. In his younger years, St. Ignatius was a soldier, on his way to military fame and fortune. In a particular battle a cannon ball shattered his leg. During his long convalescence waiting for his leg to heal, he wanted to pass the time with some books about war and knights in shining armor, which were his favorite topics, but none were available. Gutenberg had lived only 100 years earlier, so there were not a lot of books to read. All Ignatius could find was a book about Christ and books on the lives of the saints. So out of desperation he read them. He tells us during this time something interesting happened to him. When he thought about worldly things and knights and fair damsels he felt intense pleasure. But when he gave these thoughts up out of weariness he felt dry and depressed. Yet when he thought of the saints and spiritual things he not only experienced pleasure but, even after he dismissed these thoughts, he still experienced great joy. He didn’t notice this right away, but one day, in a moment of insight, it became obvious to him and he marveled at the difference.

    St. Ignatius came to Christ and let himself be fed by Christ’s Holy Spirit. It changed his life and it continues to influence the world for the better because of the spiritual renewal he began in the Church through his order. Life is full of stress and pressure for all of us. Sure we can see prayer and the Mass as one more thing to do, and it always feels that way before we start to pray or before we get ready to go to Mass, but when we truly open ourselves to its power we will receive a peace and strength that the world cannot give. Jesus promises it.