Seventeenth Sunday Ordinary Time (Cycle B)

The tie in between today’s readings:  It’s forever.

Psalm 145: 10-18, 2 Kings 4:42-44, Ephesians 4:1-6, John 6:1-15

Praise: The act of expressing approval or the offering of grateful homage in word or song as an act of worship. Psalm 145 is electrical with the excitement of praising God. There is plenty of material to work with. Throughout creation, from the smallest atom to the biggest star, we find out the more you know the more there is to know. The most brilliant among us often end their seminars with: “we’ve just scratched the surface,”. But there is jaw-dropping wonder even in that scratch. If you take time to contemplate the Amazing Creator behind the world that you see, then your praise of God’s handiwork will never end. Yet that’s only His fingerprint…there’s more!

Today, in our readings, we see two miracles: 2 Kings 4:42-44, where Elisha feeds a hundred with very little, and the Gospel of John 6:1-15, where Jesus feeds the five thousand. Remember this: the Almighty doesn’t do tricks. Along with the physical events, miracles in the Bible have potent messages behind them. In these readings, God presents us with the “crisis of lack”. We all know it. Not enough time. Not enough talent. Not enough money. We’d like to have more faith, but we’re afraid. We know that a sparrow doesn’t hit the ground without our heavenly Father knowing it, but the thing is…it still hits the ground.  “Jesus, there’s not enough fish, not enough bread. Send them away!” We fail. In feeding the 5000, God shows that He is aware of our needs and is not bound by limits. We must learn to stop compromising the right thing to do for the sake of the safe thing to do and step out in faith…well baby steps, anyway.  Scripture, miracles, and crisis are used to grow our faith. We need to be brave enough to give God all that we have and ask Him to fill in what’s lacking, to the praise and glory of His name.

But, the greatest acts of God is in re-creation. God made the universe with just a few words. Multiply some bread…no sweat, either. But to redeem mankind took an incarnation, a crucifixion and a resurrection. The greatest miracle of God is the born again person. By the transforming power of the cross God shares His intimate Self with us. Grace, mercy, forgiveness beckons us to a new life with the God who loves us. People who before would be at each other’s throats are now brothers! In Ephesians 4: 1-6 we see the effects of the Holy Spirit: love, humility, and tolerance as evidence of a new personal relationship with the Divine and each other. The Almighty offers this salvation even now. Take Him up on it. Leave your sins at the cross. Give your life to Jesus. He’ll make you into that new person who more truly reflects His image and likeness.

We have seen that there are many ways that God makes Himself known: in creation, in society, and in our lives. We get lost in the wonder of Him with only these little glimpses that we get. So, do yourself a favor, if you haven’t already. Give your life over to the Lord! Get intimate with the God of the universe! Get excited!  A new world is coming where we will see Him face to face! He will reveal more about Himself than we can handle. The explosion of thanksgiving, worship, wonder, and praise will be mind blowing! Don’t miss it! The unimaginable beatific vision awaits…buckle up.