Homilies & Thoughts

It is easy to talk about doctrine, the set of things that we are required to believe as Catholics. Today marks one of those days when it is even easier. Today begins what is called the bread of life discourse. Over the next few Sundays, Jesus will elucidate how he embodies the true bread of life, illustrating how Old Testament accounts of miraculous feedings foreshadowed his own presence. He will emphasize that partaking in his body and blood is essential for attaining eternal life within us. So we can see how easy it would be to write off the next few Sundays as moments just to talk doctrine: the real presence, transubstantiation, and all of those things. But that wouldn’t be helpful. We all know what the Church teaches. Many of us have heard it time and again our entire lives. So, let’s not talk about that today.

The feeding of the 5,000 is one of the most memorable and cherised storys about Jesus. This story isn’t just a demonstration of Christ’s power but a profound reflection of how we perceive miracles and God’s active presence in our world.

Many of us hesitate to accept miracles. We’d rather find natural explanations for Jesus’ actions, transforming his divine acts into something ordinary, yet inspiring. This skepticism isn’t just about doubt; it’s about reluctance. If Jesus truly performed miracles as signs of his divine identity, we must confront the implications: listening to him, following his teachings, and embodying his way of life. To avoid this transformative call, some have even suggested that the miracle of feeding 5,000 was merely an act of sharing, where a young boy’s modest lunch of two fish and five loaves spontaneously inspired others to share. They claim the “real” miracle was human generosity.

Nearly 2,600 years ago, Jeremiah spoke to a people burdened by violence and loss, people exiled from their beloved Jerusalem. In their deepest despair, God promised a future of harmony and right relationship with him and each other.

Yet, as we look around our world today, we might find ourselves questioning the fulfillment of this promise. How many have witnessed the horrors of conflict, seen loved ones lost to violence, or felt the sting of hatred? Hatred remains a potent force, dividing us and distancing us from God and each other. It tempts us to assert our will through violence, seek revenge, and arrogantly claim mastery over our lives and solutions to worldly problems, contrary to the essence of our faith.