Feeding the Body
Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples
The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”. Jn 6:1-15
17th Ordinary Sunday Cycle B
The bell rang for lunch break, but the teacher kept on talking for fifteen minutes more. No one was listening. How could they if their stomachs were empty.
The missionaries know this quite well. That is why even before talking to the natives about God, they take care of their bodily needs – food, shelter and clothing including medicines. Thus they need all the financial help we could give.
Jesus understood this very well. That is why, He asked his apostles upon seeing the big crowd who hiked with Him up the mountain, “How shall we feed these people?” By multiplying five loaves and two fish He made sure that His listeners were full before preaching His sermon on the mountain.
Similarly, the prophet Elisha insisted on his servant to feed the people so that with full stomachs they can have their souls filled with Yahweh’s spirit. It was Yahweh who willed it and said, “They shall eat and there shall be some left over.” 2 Kgs 4:42-44
In the Psalm we responded, “The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.” We have many needs yet all of them are satisfied by the Lord. For this we are grateful.
This is the reason why even while suffering in prison St. Paul could still encourage the Ephesians thus, “I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace” Eph 4:1-6
