SUNDAY- 17^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

I Reading: 2 Kings 4: 42-44: They will eat and have some left over.

II Reading: Ephesians 4: 1-6: One Body, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.

Gospel: John 6:1-15: Jesus gave out as much as was wanted to all who were sitting ready.

 

Jesus feeds the crowd of more than five thousand people with five barley of bread and two fish. In John’s Gospel, Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves and fish is presented as a sign of his authority and divinity. Jesus shares his own Body and Blood in the form of the sacrament of the Eucharist. It is called the “Bread of Life Discourse” in the chapter 6 of John’s Gospel.

Each time we celebrate the Eucharist, we are anticipating the eternal banquet of heaven. Jesus transforms the gift of bread and wine into his own Body and Blood and he also transforms our lives. The Holy Spirit sanctifies the gift we offer in the form of bread and wine.

Jesus becomes the spiritual food for us the believers; he offers himself to us in three ways: through faith in him, through his Word and in the Eucharist. In the Eucharist we are fed by Jesus himself spiritually and physically and we are sent to serve others very specially the poor, destitute, outcasts, sinners and the needy in the world.

We need to share our little things or wealth or talents to meet the needs of the people as the small boy shared his five loaves and two fish and Jesus multiplied and fed the hungry with generous heart.

How are we going to eradicate and meet the problem of hunger in the world today?

The best remedy against hunger may be to be generous with the hungry.

 

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand: The Provision for Human Need

Chapter 6 reveals Jesus to be the Provision for every human and material need. Jesus first demonstrated the truth, then he began to preach and teach it. He showed that he was...

Concerned with every need in life (even a missed meal, Jn 6:1-15)

Concerned with every overpowering need the calming of a storm (Jn 6:16-21).

No matter how small the need or how stormy the problem, Jesus is the provision, the Bread of Life, and the power to meet human’s every need. He can provide a single meal (Mt 6:11- give us this day our daily bread), and he can calm the stormiest problem.

Believing and trusting are essential for God to meet human need. So faith and trust in the power of Jesus is essential in life to see that Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life, the Provision of human need.

1.    The setting (v.1-6)

a.    After this sometime Jesus crossed the lake of Galilee

b.    Feverish, surging crowds followed him

c.     Jesus sought rest and relief

d.    The pilgrims were gathering for the Feast

e.     The two concerns of Jesus

1)    The missing of a meal- Jesus wants to meet every need

2)    The testing and strengthening of his disciples: teaching the kinds of faith

2.    Lesson 1: there is s pessimistic faith (v.7)

3.    Lesson 2: there is an optimistic but questioning faith (v.8-9)

a.    Andrew searched for and brought food

b.    He questioned the supply

4.    Lesson 3: there is a positive and unswerving faith (v.10-13)

a.    Jesus’ faith

1)    He took and gave thanks for what he had

2)    He gave what he had

3)    He used others to help him

b.    God’s answer and provision

1)    He meet the people’s need: he fed and filled them

2)    He gave an overabundance

3)    He allowed no waste

5.    Lesson 4: There is a materialistic profession of Jesus (v.14-15)

a.    The people’s profession: Jesus was the Messiah

b.    The people’s concept: Jesus was an earthly and materialistic king

Thought: While a person is giving what he/she has, he/she must trust the power and provision of God. If a person gives, God does the rest.

Thought: People seek truth and life in such things as philosophy, science, technology, wealth, fame, sensation, art, music, literature and religion. But there is only one pearl that is priceless and worth more than the world itself-the pearl of Jesus Christ Himself (1Cor 2:3; 2:8-10). Acts 4:12; 1Cor 3:11; Phil 3:8; Col 1:19;2:3,10

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 SUNDAY- 16^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Christ The Good Shepherd

I Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6: The remnant of my flock I will gather and I will raise up shepherds to look after them.

II Reading: Ephesians 2:13-18: Christ Jesus is the Peace between us, and made the two into one.

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34: They were like sheep without a shepherd.

 

Today we celebrate the Shepherd who leads all people to the Father, however far apart they may be in race or culture.

The first reading talks about the social and moral fibre of the country  was rotten. The leaders who are called shepherds (both civil and religious) will be removed; God will regather his people under a real king in place of weak rulers of Jeremiah’s day about 600 B.C. Jeremiah announces an extraordinary shepherd to come. The prophecy of Jeremiah was fulfilled in Jesus.

 

The Psalm 22 is the image of the good shepherd, the writer, traditionally said to be David, projects all the qualities of the keeper of sheep on the hill side. The Psalm ends with  a feeling of security prompted by the divine shepherd. All we like sheep we gone astray and we find in this psalm the Great Shepherd who gently leads the lost back to the fold.

With unity as the theme of the second reading, Paul deals with the reconciliation of Jew and Pagan in Christ to form a “single new man.” “The barrier” refers to the fence which marked the limit to which pagans might go in the Temple.

In the gospel reading we listened, none of the Evangelists records any comment by Jesus on what the disciples had done during their mission. Jesus was more concerned that their spiritual resources  had been depleted and that a retreat was necessary. But it was not to be. The crowd gathered and he saw them as sheep without a shepherd, their needs came first and with great compassion he ministered to them with extensive teaching. By giving the Holy Spirit to everyone, Jesus wiped away all distinctions among people. First, Jesus brought peace with his Father and secondly, Jesus brought peace among all people. The fact of belonging to Jesus’ flock imposes a serious obligation on shepherds and sheep alike: to maintain peace and unity with the Christian community. What kind of Christians are we today?

Today the church and the life of our Christian communities depend to a very large extent on the quality of our spiritual leaders and leaders of our country. Today’s message is as follows:

1. Spiritual leaders or shepherds should have more concern  about the needs of their flock at all time.

2. They should be the messengers of love, joy, peace, reconciliation, compassion, caring and unity for their faithful.

3. The church or the Christian communities in turn should have one aim in view: to maintain all costs union with the community.

The Need for Rest and Its Dangers, Mk 6:30-34

Every person needs rest, relaxation, and time alone with God. However, when the believer is seeking to rest, he must know there are some serious dangers that confront him. This passage shows three of the dangers.

1.    The disciples returned from their mission (v.30): reported what they had done and taught.

2.    Danger 1: not taking time to rest (v.31-32)

a.    The disciples worked long and hard

b.    The disciples were pressed by the crowds

c.     The disciples left to rest

3.    Danger 2: taking too much time to rest when people are seeking help (v.33)

4.    Danger 3: losing sight of people who are as sheep without a shepherd (v.34)

a.    Jesus saw and had compassion

b.    Jesus began to teach

Thought: Believers are accountable both for how they live and for what they teach. They are to be obedient to Christ’s teachings. Every disciple is held accountable to God (2Cor 5:10; Heb 13:17)

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SUNDAY- 15^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Mark: 6:7-13: The Sending Out of the Disciples

I Reading: Amos 7:12-15: Amos is not a religious careerist. He is answering God’s command. He lived in the middle of the eighth century B.C. was the first canonical prophet and came from Judah (capital-Jerusalem) to preach at Bethel (Amaziah-priest-maintained by the king of Israel-Israel-capital- Samaria).

II Reading: Eph 1:3-14: With great eloquence Paul describes the blessings God has showered on us. God’s plan for us in Christ.

Gospel: Mark 6:7-13: The mission to go out and preach the Good News is a two-way street. Go out to people with Good News and people will receive you.

Mark: 6:7-13: The Sending Out of the Disciples

Jesus’ first call to his disciples “Come” and “Follow me”. Now they must “Go” out. Jesus called/chose/appointed the twelve from many and instructed them and gave them power and authority and sent them out to continue his mission to preach the Good News to the people and to heal the sick.

Every man has to be equipped before he goes forth, no matter the project or endeavour. To great degree success depends upon how well equipped a man is. This is certainly true of men in the business world. It is also true God’s servants and disciples. They must be equipped by God as they go forth to carry on their ministry for the Lord.

1.    The disciples were equipped (v.7)

a.    Were called to him to be with him, to be sent with authority over unclean spirits or to cast out demons or evils (Mk 3:13-19)

b.    They were sent out by two by two: for the support and encouragement among them while doing the mission of Jesus especially during the time of sufferings and persecutions.

c.     They were given authority: over unclean spirit or devil or demon.

2.    The disciples were instructed (v.8-13)

a.    Were to live in utter simplicity and humility

b.    Were to show stability and settledness

c.     Were to reject any who were not hospitable and receptive

1)    The reason: as a warning

2)    The judgement: terrible

d.    Were to preach repentance

e.     Were to minister to the demon-possessed and the sick

f.      Were to anoint the sick with oil; oil is the symbol of out pouring of the Holy Spirit, God’s presence, love, joy and mercy of God or a medicine to give life to live

Thought: The disciples continued the three folds ministry of Jesus Christ.

1.    The preaching ministry to proclaim the Good News of Jesus and to establish the kingdom of God

2.    The teaching ministry is about the Christ, Messiah alone

3.    The healing ministry is to heal the sick and suffering and to cast out demons or evil spirits

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 SUNDAY- 14^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

The Rejection of Jesus’ Authority:

Why Jesus is Rejected, Mk 6:1-6

I Reading: Ezekiel 2:2-52: Ezekiel the prophet will speak God’s word to the people even if they refuse to listen.

II Reading: 1Cor 12:7-10: Paul boasts of his weakness, for God can still work through him.

Gospel: Mark 6:1-6: Jesus, despite his wisdom, is rejected in his home town; for that is how prophets are treated.

There are different kinds of people in the world. We can divide into two groups. The first group of people-believers, God fearing, good, righteous, humble and obedient people. The second type of people are known as the unbeliever, proud, greedy, jealousy, envy, disobedient and evil ones.

We can ask two questions in today’s Gospel reading:

Who have accepted Jesus as their Messiah, Son of God,  Lord and Saviour? Who have not accepted Jesus in their lives in the Scriptures?

The shepherds, the wise men from the east (Magi), the Samaritan woman, the sinful woman-Mary Magdalene, the illiterate disciples, Zachaeus- the sinner, Matthew the tax collector, good thief on the right side of Jesus, the soldier and the gentiles accepted Jesus. Whereas, Herod, the scribes, Pharisees and the chief priest, evil ones and many others rejected Jesus.

The Israelites in exile rejected the message God gave them through Ezekiel. The people of Nazareth rejected Jesus and his message.

Jesus’ hometown was harsh with him. Most of his neighbours could never accept the fact that he was the Messiah, the Son of God. There were some who were envious and jealous of the prominence and esteem he had achieved. Their unacceptance, unbelief, and rumours led them to do some terrible things on Jesus.

·       Some in the city tried to kill him.

·       Some considered him mad or insane.

·       Even people considered him the illegitimate son of Joseph.

·       Even his family members rejected.

1.    Jesus was in his home town, Nazareth (v.1-2)

a.    He entered the synagogue

b.    He taught:  the people were amazed

2.    Some questioned his source of authority (v.2-3)

a.    He lacked proper credentials and education

b.    He was from human and humble beginnings

3.    Some were offended by him: they thought of him only as one of their own (3-4)

a.    People knew about the human flesh of Jesus but not the divine nature of Jesus

4.    Some blocked God’s power (v.5)

5.    Some were gripped with unbelief-shocking so (v.6)

Thought: To follow Jesus faithfully we need a strength which only God can give. A person’s unbelief blocks the power of God to perform miracles in life.

“My grace is enough for you; my power is greatest when you are weak.” (2Cor 13:9)

Jesus calls everyone to follow him. The people of Nazareth said “no” to Jesus but let us say “yes” to Jesus day after day in our life.

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3^rd July, Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle

Patron Saint of India

Gospel: John 20:24-29: The Great Conviction-Thomas’ Confession.

I Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-9: The Word of the Lord was addressed to me..

II Reading Eph 2:19-22: You are no longer aliens or foreign visitors..

The Great Conviction-Thomas’ Confession, 20:24-29

Thomas’ faith in Jesus Christ grew day after day; so should ours, till Christ becomes our Lord and our God forever in heaven. Faith in Christ is God’s gift; only God can give it and we must be grateful for having received it. John mentions Thomas in four occasions:

1. Thomas said to his companions during inner sufferings and conspiracy to kill Jesus when Jesus decided to go back to Jerusalem, “Let us go too and die with him.” (Jn 11:16)

2. Thomas interrupted Jesus saying: “Lord, we do not know where you are going: show how can we know the way?” (Jn 14:5)

Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (Jn 14:6)

3. Today’s Gospel.

4. Jesus appeared to the seven disciples and later on Jesus appeared to Thomas when all were there (Jn 20: 27; Jn 21:1-23).

i. Faith in Jesus Christ implies a total surrendered to his plans of love for us.

ii. Faith in Jesus Christ brings to us incalculable treasures.

iii. Our Faith in Christ must grow day after day.

This is excellent study on conviction and confession of Thomas, the one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.

1.    Thomas’ frustrated, reactionary spirit (v.24-25)

a.    The disciples testified: Thomas argued

b.    The reason: Guilt-he had forsaken and withdrawn from them

2.    Thomas’ false picture of Jesus (v.25)

a.    He was just an earthly deliverer

b.    He was now dead

c.     Result: persistent doubt for eight days

3.    Thomas’ critical confrontation and confession: Jesus appeared and challenged and convicted him (v.26-28)

a.    The confrontation

1)    Jesus was aware of Thomas’ demands

2)    Jesus warned and called for belief

3)    The strong confession

4.    Thomas’ great lesson for all people.

Thought: To doubt is to be Christless.  “Separate from Christ...without hope and without God in the world” (Eph 2:12). False pictures of Jesus lead to unbelief. Jesus is more than a great teacher, a great prophet, a great man and a great founder of religion.

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