THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Monday of 18^th Week in Ordinary time, 2022

Jer. 28:1-17

Ps 119

Matt 14:13-21

St Alphonsus Liguori

Five loaves…

Dear friends in Christ, is there any individual effort that can truly solve a problem? Only God has such powers. Prayer and following Jesus teach us to believe in divine providence. Today, the Church celebrates St. Alphonsus Liguori, a civil lawyer turned priest. He was the founder of the Order of the Holy Redeemer known as Redemptorists. He was a man who despite the troubles he faced, lived an exemplary life. He was also an outstanding moral theologian and holy man, who spent his time winning back sinners to the fold by patience and moderation. 

The first reading of today (Jeremiah 28:1-17) showed the rivalry between Hananiah the prophet of the opposition, who was interested in pleasing the people, and Jeremiah the prophet of God. For political reasons, some people were interested in an alliance with Babylon while others supported an alliance with Egypt. Jeremiah however, was not in support of any of such alliances. Babylon broke into Jerusalem and carried off the Temple treasure with the king and the nobles of Judah. Jeremiah called on the people to return to God to avoid something worse. To demonstrate the subjugation of the City, he wore a wooden yoke. Hananiah however challenged him and made a false prophecy concerning the return of the exiles and treasures within two years; he then broke off the yoke on the neck of Jeremiah. God however told Jeremiah to prophesy that he will now make the yoke of iron and that Hananiah will die that same year. He died within three months. The Temple itself was destroyed in 587 B.C. Listening to God is more important than sacrifices and offerings. Beware of the false prophets in your midst.

The Gospel of today (Matthew 14:13-21) is about the compassion and providence of God. Jesus had met a large crowd of people who were looking for him from all the surrounding towns. He fed them with the word of God and also healed their sick. When it was evening, there was one more thing, the people were hungry and the disciples asked him to send the crowd away, which was the most reasonable thing so that they might find food and shelter in the surrounding towns but Jesus asked the disciples to provide for the people. They told him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” Jesus prayed over the five loaves and two fish and the disciples distributed them. Five thousand men not counting women and children ate and there were twelve baskets of scraps left over. It’s only human beings who see impossibilities, with God nothing is impossible. Quite a several people try to multiply their loaves without God and ultimately fail. Human effort alone will not be enough. Jesus committed it to prayer after the disciples offered him the loaves and the fish. Praying also requires that you do the will of God and obey his commands. He is the one who multiplies, do not be afraid, you will have enough and excess.

Let us pray: Lord, I trust in your love for me, fill me with your goodness. Amen. 

+Remain blessed