Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 29, 2018
First Reading: 2 Kings 4.42-44
42A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, "Give to the men, that they may eat."43But his servant said, "How can I set this before a hundred men?" So he repeated, "Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, 'They shall eat and have some left.'"44So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the LORD.
Psalm 145
1I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.2Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.4One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.5On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.6They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.7They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.8The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.10All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!11They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,12to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.[The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]14The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.15The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.16You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.17The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.18The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.19He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.20The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.21My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
Second Reading: Ephesians 4.1-6
1I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.4There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--5one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Gospel: John 6.1-15
1After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.2And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick.3Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.4Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.5Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?"6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.7Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,9"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?"10Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.11Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.12And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost."13So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten.14When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, "This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!"15Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of faith, abundance, and unity, each woven together by the thread of trust in God's providence. The first reading from 2 Kings presents Elisha, a prophet who, despite the servant's doubt, trusts in God's abundance. The meager offerings of bread are not only sufficient but leave leftovers, illustrating that faith in God's provision can surpass human expectations.
The second reading from Ephesians shifts focus to the unity of the Church, urging believers to live with humility and patience. Paul emphasizes that there is one body and one Spirit, highlighting the importance of harmony among Christians. This unity is not just a ideal but a reflection of our shared faith and calling.
In the Gospel, John recounts the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, where Jesus transforms a boy's humble offerings into a feast for thousands. This miracle is a testament to Jesus's divine care and the power of gratitude and generosity. It reminds us that even our meager resources can be more than enough when placed in God's hands.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Like Elisha and Jesus, we are called to trust in God's abundance, even when faced with doubt or scarcity. We are also reminded of the importance of unity and humility within our communities. Let us embrace these teachings by living with faith, generosity, and a commitment to harmony, trusting that God will multiply our efforts and sustain us in all we do.