💖 HOMILY - AUGUST 7 💖

First Reading - Numbers 11:4-15

Gospel - Matthew 14:13-21

If we look around, we will certainly observe that everyone is looking for something in his or her life; some are looking for attention, others for recognition and some others for prestige and status; and there are still some who are looking for meaning, purpose and happiness in life. The readings of the day challenge us to look for things that can give us meaning and fulfillment in life.

The first reading shows an anguishing Israelites. They were anguished for the want of meat. They were looking for physical satisfaction of hunger. Consequently, they complained and grumbled against Moses and God having nostalgia of their days in Egypt where they could enjoy meat and fish. Though they saw a great sign of manna but their desire for food was not satisfied rather intensified for meat. Seeing the hardness of heart and lack of faith of people, Moses once again pleaded with God for the people. 

In the gospel, we come across people who are looking for Jesus. They have many intentions and purposes; some are sick and others want to hear from Jesus. Jesus looks at their purposes with compassion. He heals the sick and later satisfied them with the bread and fish. This gospel of today presents two approaches: firstly, the purpose of the crowd for following Christ was to get the sick healed and probably to hear him; secondly, the response of Jesus to the crowd was of compassion in healing their sick and feeding them to the full. 

The feeding of the multitude enunciates two implications: firstly, it has eucharistic gesture of "taking, giving thanks, breaking and distributing", hence this event shows that the crowd represents a special group of people who share in the eucharistic banquet; secondly, the crowd was satisfied and from the fragments, twelve baskets were collected. The collection of twelve baskets and satisfaction of the crowd symbolically presents the eschatological role of the Messiah who satisfies the twelve tribes of Israel with the eschatological banquet.

My dear friends, we may have diversified purposes in life which can be insatiating like that of the people of Israel as mentioned in the first reading but the purpose that is directed to Jesus can be satisfied as mentioned in the gospel examplified by the crowd. The readings pose a question to us? What do we look for in life? Is it material or short-lived purpose or the purpose that gives meaning and fulfillment in life? People of Israel were distracted by their short-lived purpose on their journey but the crowd in the gospel looked for Christ and walked on their foot to find him and ultimately they were satisfied. Let's look for Christ in our lives and he will give us meaning and fulfillment in life. He will satisfy us with the bread of eternal life and give us a sense of purpose which is not short-lived but far-reaching.

May God help us center our purpose on Jesus and find real fulfilment.