Readings
Reading I: Second Kings 4:42-44 |
Preaching TipPreparing for the Long Haul. Overcoming the challenge of John’s Gospel.
This week we begin a series of five weeks reading from the Bread of Life discourse. The Gospel of Mark is too short to last for all the weeks of Ordinary Time in year B, and so Mark is supplemented by John’s Gospel.
John provides rich depth and material for preaching. However, as we must preach for many successive Sundays on a passage that continues the same theme, John can be a challenge to a busy pastor. Some pastors love preaching on John, but to those who aren’t so inclined, there is some hope!
The Church pairs the continuous reading of John with very “preachable” episodes from the Old Testament. All of these have a eucharistic undertone as they are types of the Eucharist: the miracle of the loaves by Elisha, the Manna, the bread given to Elijah, etc.
Focusing on the themes of Promise and Fulfillment in light of the Eucharist can make the five weeks easier to manage.
Regardless of how the five weeks are approached, a great tip is to consider the block of weeks as a whole. Doing this, one may draw up a plan and sketch out the five homilies ahead of time. This will save you time in the long run and also be a helpful way to engage the congregation during these coming weeks. |
B To 17
CINCO PANES Y DOS PECES
El cristiano sabe que no podrá resolver todos los problemas del hambre en el mundo, los víveres se consumen pronto y vuelve la miseria; pero cuando el Señor le pide que aporte sus cinco panes y sus dos peces tiene la seguridad de que Él se encargará de multiplicarlos milagrosamente.
Hermanas y hermanos:
1. El gesto profético de la multiplicación de los panes tiene un significado que va más allá de saciar el estómago. Un niño ofreció lo que tenía y Jesús mandó distribuirlo. Significa que la contribución humana no queda eliminada en el milagro sino que es el punto de partida para esta maravillosa comunión. La Palabra de Dios nos estimula a compartir con más sabiduría las riquezas de la tierra.
2. El hombre sufre hoy un vacío espiritual y tenemos el deber de saciarlo; la comprensión es el rasgo más sublime del amor. ¡Cuánto amor nos muestra Jesús en este episodio! A veces nos cuesta entender a los demás y es entonces cuando el amor juega un papel fundamental, porque si amamos, fácilmente podemos ser comprensivos. Es aquello que una mujer decía a su marido: "Si me amaras, me entenderías". Si nosotros queremos distinguir de qué hambre sufre el hermano que está a nuestro lado o toda la sociedad, hemos de aprender de Jesús a comprender su situación y a amarlo.
3. ¿Qué es comprender? Ante todo es sintonizar con todos los corazones. Decía San Agustín: "Imita a los hombres buenos, tolera a los malos, ama a todos porque tu no sabes como será mañana aquel que hoy es malo". Ese es el amor de Jesús al ladrón, a la adúltera, a la samaritana.
¿Qué es el amor? Amar es entregarse aunque el corazón esté sangrando; es soportar el olvido de los demás sin desanimarse; es aprender a ser solidarios; es pensar bien de los demás; es también el no pedir a los hombres más de lo que los hombres pueden dar; es cerrar los ojos y abrir la mano; el mundo de hoy necesita hombres que sepan dar y recibir.
El amor es una aventura y un riesgo. El cristiano debe dejar siempre a su paso una estela de claridad, como la que deja el navío en el mar. No nos avergoncemos de llamar "hermano" al mendigo, al enfermo, al caído o al hombre de la piel oscura, y no olvidemos que a los hermanos se los trata con amor y comprensión.
Piensa en todas las riquezas materiales y espirituales que Dios te ha dado; son los panes y los peces que quiere que le ofrezcas para multiplicarlos y saciar el hambre de los que te rodean. El hambre de pan se sacia compartiendo generosamente, pero el hambre más profunda que debe ser saciada es la del espíritu. Mira si eres capaz de comprender, de amar y de entregarte a los demás hasta hacerlos felices. Así también serás feliz tú mismo.
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISH
The Christian knows he cannot solve all the problems of hunger, for the food given is quickly consumed and misery returns, but when the Lord asks us to contribute five loaves and two fish, we has the assurance that He will take care of multiplying it miraculously.
Sisters and brothers:
1. The prophetic act of the multiplication of the loaves has a meaning that goes beyond satisfying the stomach. A child offered what he had and Jesus commanded the apostles to distribute it. This means that our human contribution is needed for the miracle since it is the starting point for this wonderful communion. The Word of God encourages us to share the riches of the earth more wisely.
2. Man today suffers a spiritual void and we have a duty to satisfy it; understanding is the most sublime trait of love. Jesus shows us so much love in this episode! Sometimes it is hard for us to understand others and that is when love plays a key role, because if we love, we can easily be understood. It is what a woman said to her husband: "If you loved me, you would understand me." If we want to figure out what type of hunger the brother at our side or all of society is suffering from, we must learn from Jesus to love and understand their situation.
3. What is understanding? First of all, it is to get in tune with all hearts. Saint Augustine said: "Imitate good men, tolerate the bad men, and love everyone because you do not know how today's bad man will be tomorrow." That is the love of Jesus to the thief, the adulteress, the Samaritan.
What is love? To love is to give oneself even though the heart is bleeding; it is to support others without being discouraged; is learning to stand in solidarity with others; it is to think well of others and also not to ask men and women more than they can give; it is to close your eyes and open your hand. Today's world needs men who know how to give and receive.
Love is an adventure and a risk. The Christian must always leave a trail of light behind, like a ship at sea. Do not be ashamed to call "brother" the beggar, the sick, the fallen or the man of dark skin, and let us not forget to treat our brothers with love and understanding.
Think of all the material and spiritual wealth that God has given you. These are the bread and the fish he wants you to offer so that he can multiply them and satisfy the hunger of those around you. The hunger for bread is satisfied by generously sharing, but the deepest hunger that must be satisfied is that of the spirit. See if you can understand, love, and give yourself to others to make them happy. If so, you will be happy yourself.