Sunday Says – July 26, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 110 (NAB Translation)

Reading 1
2 Kings 4:42-44

This week’s first reading is a little-known story from the book of Kings. Elisha is a faithful prophet of God that has worked many miracles to give him the credibility he needs before the people to call out the unfaithfulness of the kings and leaders. His miracles bring a hope to the people of God. In this story, we hear a precursor miracle of the multiplication of the loaves.

Sometimes we have fears that God will not come through, and there are times that it doesn’t happen the way that we expect. Even still, take heart for our God provides.

 

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18

1. (cf. 16) The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.

Reading 2
Ephesians 4:1-6

We continue this week’s second reading through our study of St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We have been hearing about how God’s plan of salvation extends to all people – Jews and Gentiles. Accepting that God’s love and mercy can extend to them is only the first step. Here St Paul is challenging them live in unity as a new community one in the Lord.

Sometimes we find reasons to keep others separate from us, but the Spirit of the Lord is a call to unity and sharing our lives together regardless of our differences.

 

Alleluia Luke 7:16

1. Alleluia, alleluia.

A great prophet has arisen in our midst.

God has visited  his people.

 

Gospel
John 6:1-15

This week’s Gospel takes a break from St Mark and goes to St John. John has a much more symbolic and slower approach to the message than Mark. Here we see Jesus testing the faith of His Apostles by questioning them how it could be that they could provide for the thousands following them. Jesus does this to prove a point a remind them that they will be found wanting if they try to give only what they have. Trusting in the Lord to provide everything is the only way we can truly give anything. For He alone is the source of all goodness, and His generosity will never be outdone.

We all have areas we can work on to surrender more to the Lord. Trust that He is good and that what He has for you is love.

 

Gospel Meditation  from Bishop Vásquez

Reflection question

Jesus feeds the crowd with a few loaves of bread and a few fish. In this astonishing miracle we see a hint of the Eucharist to come at the Last Supper. Jesus commands that the “leftovers” be collected so that nothing is wasted. How careful are you to not waste food?