Daily Readings - Sun Jul 25 2021
2 Kings
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.
Ephesians
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.
John
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on trust in God's providence and the importance of unity in our communities. In the First Reading, Elisha, with unwavering faith, instructs his servant to feed a multitude with a seemingly insufficient supply of bread. Through obedience and trust, God's abundance is revealed, leaving plenty remaining. This miracle prefigures the Gospel, where Jesus feeds the 5000 with just five loaves and two fish, demonstrating His divine power and care for His people. Both stories highlight the transformative power of faith and trust in God's plan.
The Second Reading from Ephesians emphasizes the unity of the Spirit, urging believers to live humbly, patiently, and charitably, preserving the oneness that binds us. This unity is mirrored in the Gospel as the crowd comes together, united by their need and faith in Jesus. The leftovers from the feeding symbolize God's overflowing grace, reminding us that our efforts, though small, can yield abundant results when surrendered to Him.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to trust in God's provision, even when resources seem scarce, and to strive for unity in our communities. Just as the boy's humble offering became the source of abundance, our small acts of faith and love can have a profound impact. Let us embrace humility, patience, and charity, allowing God to work through us and bring people together in His name. Through faith and unity, we experience the richness of God's love and provision.