The Miracle of Selflessness.
The Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time 2020
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August 2, 2020
Isaiah 55:1-3; Psalm 145; Romans 8:35-39; Matthew 14:13-21
The feast described in Isaiah is quite inviting, and yet it reminds me how much we thirst for a vaccine and an end to this viral onslaught. We thirst. We are hungry. We look forward to the day in which we may put away protective face coverings, gather with loved ones, worship as a whole community, and feel safe in any environment. We will celebrate fully once again, though that day may seem far off into the future. The invitation to come closer to God still remains and St. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, assures us that it is impossible for us to be separated from God.
In the Gospel, Jesus needs time to grieve as he learns of the news the John the Baptist has been executed. Preaching about the word of God is a high stakes game, and Jesus is able to reflect on the seriousness of it. The crowds do not let Jesus mourn because they thirst and hunger for what God can do to them. They want their needs met, and their concern for their own needs overrule their need to help Jesus get what he needs, and yet Jesus is moved with compassion for the people and he gives the people his time and food for sustenance.
Some scripture scholars says that the real miracle of the loaves and fishes was that Jesus turned a crowd of selfish men and women into fellowship of sharers. The miracle was one which changed not loaves and fishes but the hearts and attitudes of men and women. It was likely that this crowd that followed Jesus were pilgrims who prepared for their journey before they set out. When Jesus produced the little store of food that he had, he thanked God and offered it to the crowds, he gave an example to many other people who began to share from their supplies. In the end, it was more than enough to take care of everyone.
In these COVID times, many will remark on the selfish attitudes of others who will not wear masks because it is their right not to do so. Some say because they do not feel sick, they are safe to be around, or that they don’t like wearing a mask. No matter how much information they receive, their attitudes will not be easily changed. It is not easy to combat selfishness, but we have the attitude that we received from Jesus – selflessness. When Jesus saw the people he had compassion on them and wanted to feed them. He offered what very little he had and create a community that did something greater for one another. We continue to live by his example and to lead others by example. It might be little consolation, but if we believe in the power of the Risen Christ and we continue to offer what little we have, we will be able to see miracles of selflessness unfold before our eyes. Continue to give what you can, and we will celebrate the bounty of your goodwill.
Scripture for Daily Mass
First Reading:
Monday: (Jeremiah 26) I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. Within two years I will restore to this place all the vessels of the temple of the LORD which Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, took away from this place to Babylon.
Tuesday: (Jeremiah 30) For thus says the LORD: Incurable is your wound, grievous your bruise; There is none to plead your cause, no remedy for your running sore, no healing for you. All your lovers have forgotten you, they do not seek you.
Wednesday: (Jeremiah 31) I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus says the LORD: The people that escaped the sword have found favor in the desert. As Israel comes forward to be given his rest, the LORD appears to him from afar.
Thursday: (Daniel 7) Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was bright as snow, and the hair on his head as white as wool; his throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire.
Friday (Nahum 2) See, upon the mountains there advances the bearer of good news, announcing peace! Celebrate your feasts, O Judah, fulfill your vows! For nevermore shall you be invaded by the scoundrel; he is completely destroyed.
Saturday (Habakkuk 1) Are you not from eternity, O LORD, my holy God, immortal? O LORD, you have marked him for judgment, O Rock, you have readied him punishment! Too pure are your eyes to look upon evil, and the sight of misery you cannot endure.
Gospel:
Monday: (Matthew 14) Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
Tuesday: (Matthew 14) Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
Wednesday (Matthew 15) At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not say a word in answer to her.
Thursday (Matthew 17) Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.
Friday (Matthew 136) Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
Saturday (Matthew 17) A man came up to Jesus, knelt down before him, and said, “Lord, have pity on my son, who is a lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.”
Saints of the Week
August 2: Peter Faber, S.J., priest and founder (1506-1546), was one of the original companions of the Society of Jesus. He was a French theologian and the first Jesuit priest and was the presider over the first vows of the lay companions. He became known for directing the Spiritual Exercises very well. He was called to the Council of Trent but died as the participants were gathering.
August 2: Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop (d. 371), was ordained bishop after becoming a lector. He attended a council in Milan where he opposed the Arians. The emperor exiled him to Palestine because he contradicted secular influences. He returned to his diocese where the emperor died.
August 2: Peter Julian Eymard, priest (1811-1868) left the Oblates when he became ill. When his father died, he became a priest and soon transferred into the Marists but left them to found the Blessed Sacrament Fathers to promote the significance of the Eucharist.
August 4: John Vianney, priest (1786-1859) became the parish priest in Ars-en-Dombes where he spent the rest of his life preaching and hearing confessions. Hundreds of visitors and pilgrims visited him daily. He would hear confessions 12-16 hours per day.
August 5: Dedication of the Basilica of Mary Major in Rome is celebrated because it is the largest and oldest of the churches in honor of Mary. The veneration began in 435 when the church was repaired after the Council of Ephesus in 431 when Mary was proclaimed the Mother of God. This is the church where Ignatius of Loyola said his first Mass and where Francis of Assisi assembled the first crèche.
August 6: The Transfiguration of the Lord is an historical event captured by the Gospels when Jesus is singled out as God's Son - ranking higher than Moses or Elijah. In front of his disciples, Jesus becomes transfigured, thus revealing his true nature. Ironically, the anniversary of the dropping of the first atomic bomb occurred at Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.
August 7: Sixtus, II, pope and martyr with companions (d. 258), died during the Valerian persecutions in 258. They were killed in the catacombs where they celebrated Mass. Sixtus was beheaded while speaking in his presidential chair and six deacons were killed as well. Lawrence, the Deacon, is honored on August 10th. Sixtus is remembered during the 1st Eucharistic prayer at Mass.
August 7: Cajetan, priest (1480-1547), was a civil and canon lawyer who worked in the papal chancery. He later joined the Roman Order of Divine Love and was ordained a priest. He became aware that the church needed reform and he teamed up with the bishop of Theate (Gian Pietro Carafa) and formed a society of priests called the Theatines who lived in community and took monastic vows. They owned no property.
August 8: Dominic, priest (1170-1221), was a Spaniard who was sent to southern France to counter the heretical teachings of the Albigensians, who held that the material world was evil and only religious asceticism could combat those forces. Dominic begged and preached in an austere fashion and set the foundations for the new Order of Preachers for both men and women.
August 8: Mother Mary MacKillop, religious (1842-1909), who worked in Australia and New Zealand to assist the poor, needy, and immigrants to the country, was canonized on October 17th 2010. August 8th is chosen as the day in which she will be memorialized on the Roman calendar. I offer the following prayer:
Bountiful and loving God,
You have filled the heart of Mary MacKillop
with compassionate love for those
who are in need at the margins of our society.
Deepen that love within us
that we may embrace the mystery of the Cross
which leads us through death to life.
We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus
who having broken the bonds of death
leads us to everlasting life. Amen.
This Week in Jesuit History
· Aug 2, 1981. The death of Gerald Kelly, moral theologian and author of "Modern Youth and Chastity."
· Aug 3, 1553. Queen Mary Tudor made her solemn entrance into London. As she passed St Paul's School, Edmund Campion, then a boy of thirteen delivered an address.
· Aug 4, 1871. King Victor Emmanuel signed the decree that sanctioned the seizure of all of the properties belonging to the Roman College and to S. Andrea.
· Aug 5, 1762. The Parliament at Paris condemned the Society's Institute as opposed to natural law. It confiscated all Jesuit property and forbade the Jesuit habit and community life.
· Aug 6, 1552. The death of Claude Jay, a French priest who was one of Ignatius' original companions at the University of Paris.
· Aug 7, 1814. The universal restoration of the Society of Jesus.
· Aug 8, 1604. St Peter Claver takes his first vows at Tarracona.
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