Homily for May 2, 2017.
Few days
ago, we read about how Jesus fed the multitude of about five thousand with just
five loaves and two fish. Jesus fed them not simply to satisfy their physical
craving for food but to create in their hearts a longing for real spiritual
food which was his own body.
The miracle
of the feeding of five thousand speaks volumes about our relationship with God.
at times, God feeds us; that is, He answers our prayers, He provides our
material needs and we easily begin to assume that is all to it. We may even
come to the point of seeing God basically as our provider and nothing more.
Dear
friends, God is not simply a bread-giver but a life-giver. God is not only interested
in providing our needs, God wants to be part of our life. In other words, God
wants us to feed on him rather than become solely dependent on the things he
provides.
The things
of the world, houses, cars, clothes, money and so on do not last, even the best
food in the world does not cure hunger forever; no matter how sweet it is, you
would become hungry again. But there is food which nourishes our soul, there is
food which truly gives us life – that food is the body of Jesus Christ.
No wonder,
whenever we are cut off from God, whenever our spiritual life weakens or whenever
we stay away from Holy Communion for a long time, our life becomes a shadow of
itself; everything just falls apart. We can survive without the things of this
world, but we cannot survive without God.
When we
are in tune with God, when our relationship with Him is in perfect terms, when
we actually eat his body in Holy Communion knowing we are in a state of grace,
there is a deep seated inner feeling of joy and satisfaction that takes over
our spirit. It is a joy that cannot be explained; a joy likened to that which we
feel in the presence of someone with whom we are deeply in love.
It is this
joy that Jesus is referring to when he says: “He who comes to me shall not
hunger and he who believes in me shall not thirst.” John 6:35. In other words, when
we have Jesus living inside us, hungry stomach or full stomach no longer matters
anymore; with Jesus in us, abundance or poverty means nothing to us – we are always
fully satisfied.
This is
the joy that Stephen felt deep within him in the first reading to the extent
that even when we he was being put on trial, he was so connected with God that
he saw heaven open and the glory of God with Jesus standing at the right hand
of God.
As Stephen
was being stoned, he still could pray: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Even though
he was feeling the pains of the heavy stones crashing into him, Stephen felt a
sense of deep inner peace and calm within his heart. He was not bitter. He did
not utter curses upon his accusers instead like Jesus, he even prayed for them:
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Acts 7:60.
Stephen
therefore gives us a perfect example of what it means to be fully and deeply
connected with God. When we are truly in sync with God, nothing else matters. We
speak the truth without fear or favour.
When we
are deeply in touch with God, we don’t pursue money as if having it is all
there is to life, indeed, we don’t care so much about our daily bread but are
prepared to lose everything if only to remain connected with God in spirit. Like
Stephen, we are prepared to even offer our lives for God’s sake.
Nowadays,
people just come forward to receive Holy Communion without even prayerfully
reflecting on what they are receiving. We are so distracted at mass, pressing
our phones or discussing with our colleagues, running commentaries yet when it
is time for communion, we just jump into the line and say “Amen.”
We know we
don’t have a relationship with God yet to avoid shame and give people the
impression of holiness, we just come out to receive Holy Communion as though it
is ordinary bread or our entitlement. This is definitely not what Jesus had in
mind when he gave us his body and blood. Let us not get to familiar with it. Bring
back reverence for Holy Communion and ensure you are in sync with God before
coming to receive.
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, deepen my love and devotion to you. Amen.
*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the 3rd Week of
Easter. Bible Study: Acts 7:51-59
and John 6:30-35).*
Fr. Abu.
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