July 29
Sunday
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 2 Kgs 4:42-44:
A man came from Baal-shalishah bringing to Elisha, the man of God, twenty barley loaves made from the firstfruits, and fresh grain in the ear. Elisha said, “Give it to the people to eat.” But his servant objected, “How can I set this before a hundred people?” Elisha insisted, “Give it to the people to eat.” “For thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and there shall be some left over.’” And when they had eaten, there was some left over, as the LORD had said.
What a glorious mystery takes place in this week’s Gospel reading: Jesus multiplies loaves and fishes for the many people who flock to him.
When Cassandra found out she was going to have a baby, the news excited her entire family. Cassandra and her husband were very grateful that after three years of hopeful prayer to God, they were finally going to be parents. Cassandra and her husband had gone through the emotional pressure of trying to conceive a child. The anxiety they experienced had a huge impact on their marriage. They became indifferent and suspicious toward each other. The level of mistrust in their marriage was almost breaking them apart. But through it all, their faith in God and their courage to not give up hope kept them together.
In this week’s Gospel, Jesus asks His disciples to come away for some quiet time, and flocks of people found them and followed them. Jesus was moved by the deep need the people had for a shepherd to guide them, and He reached out to them.