I've been a prison minister for about 5 years now. Once or twice a month I go to Calhoun State Prison and participate in a Catholic Communion Service. We are usually paired up with another volunteer. My usual partner is Deacon Jay Dallas. We swap off leading the communion services. One week its Jay and the other week is Mike. The leader is responsible for delivering the homily after the Gospel reading. Jay always does a great job...he is gifted in this area. I typically "borrow" other peoples homilies from websites such as homilies.com :-). This time it was my turn to lead and the Gospel reading was from Mathew 14, 13-21, the multiplication of loaves and fishes. I wrote my own homily. Yea!
I've posted my Homily below.
18th Sunday – Year A
Is 55, 10-11
Rom 8, 35,37-39
Mat 14, 13-21
Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes
This particular miracle, Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes, is the only miracle that is recounted in all 4 Gospels. It is a very interesting note. Jesus did many things that could have been retold by all of the Gospel writers; however, it is only this miracle that made it in all four.
Let’s back up a little. Before all of this happens, Jesus hears of the terrible news of the death of John the Baptist. John was beheaded at the request of King Herod’s wife. Jesus was distraught and headed out on his sailboat for a little quiet time. The people heard about this and followed the boat along the shore. When Jesus got out of the boat, he was met by thousands of people. What would be your first reaction to being met by thousands of people, all needing something, at the moment when you would like to get away from it all? I would be a little upset, maybe overwhelmed. Not Jesus. His first reaction to the site was pity. “His heart was moved with pity for them.” He cured their sick the remainder of the day.
Evening was approaching and the disciples recommended to Jesus that he send them on their way. It was getting late, the people had nothing to eat and they should be going now. Jesus asks them how much there was to eat. The Gospel of John mentions that the disciples found a little boy that offered up 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Jesus ordered everyone to sit down on the grass. He then took the bread and fish, looked up into Heaven, said the blessing, broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. Does anyone see any similarities? It’s a lot like Mass. This is described as a prototype of the Eucharist. After everyone was satisfied…satisfied is another word for stuffed to the gills…Jesus asked for the scraps of bread be collected so that nothing would go to waste. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting the women and children.
Think about that for a moment. 5000 men. There is probably 1000…1500 men at Calhoun Prison? Imagine all of you gathering in 1 place and then tripling or quadrupling the size…and then adding women and children. There were probably at least 15000 people gathered on the shore! Now take the little bit that was offered, five loaves and two fish and try and feed 15000 hungry folks! Nevertheless, Jesus can do it! He can multiply whatever we give him and it will be more than enough. A little faith, a little encouragement for someone who needs to hear it, a little patience, a little compassion, a little generosity, a little of anything that you have to offer. That’s the miracle of it.
Jesus went on to walk on water, heal many more people, fed 4000 more people with 7 loaves and a few fish. Jesus and the disciples were headed back across the sea and the disciples were discussing among themselves that they forgot to bring bread to eat. Jesus said to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The disciples concluded that “It was because they did not bring any bread”. Jesus said “You of little faith, why do you conclude among yourselves that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand, and do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand and how many wicker baskets you took up? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand and how many baskets you took up? How do you not comprehend that I was not speaking to you about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. In other words, beware of the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
For me it is good to see that the disciples of Jesus weren’t getting the big picture on the first go around. It’s comforting to know that Jesus is there to point out the obvious to us, so we might follow the right path. It is also interesting to note that in the next few verses Jesus is preparing to give the power of binding and loosening to Peter. The power to teach and preach in the name of the Church. The power to make decisions on Earth that will be upheld in Heaven. Wow. That was a little bit of a side bar and I’m sure that we will discuss that in more detail at a later date.
To conclude, we all have something to offer. It might not seem like much, but Jesus can and will multiply it as He sees fit.
Peace of Christ be with You!
