Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Signs of a Prophet
We all have the need to eat and drink. Food and drink nourish us physically, yes, but they also nourish our spirit, especially when sharing a meal. We are often spiritually satisfied after a good meal taken in good company. In a similar way, we all need the Eucharist, the consecrated bread and wine we receive at Mass. It is our most important food and drink because it feeds our spiritual life. When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the death of the Lord, until he comes again (see 1 Cor. 11:26). We are to be spiritually satisfied by the Eucharist, especially when we share this sacred meal in the presence of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Elisha said, “Give these twenty barley loaves to the people to eat.” – from the First Reading

Elisha was considered a prophet by the people of his time. The man who came from Baal-shalishah with an offering intended his gift to be for the prophet alone. But Elisha wanted him to give it to the people. The man protested, thinking practically, mathematically. How could 20 loaves feed a hundred people? Twenty loaves divided by 100 mouths is two-tenths of a loaf for one hungry person. Would that be enough? Elisha insisted, yes, and more so. And by the word of the Lord, there was enough, and more than enough! God worked a sign through this prophet.

When the people saw the sign Jesus had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” – from the Gospel Reading

Jesus was considered a prophet by the people of his time. Indeed, he was. And yet, we have come to believe he was more than a prophet. He was the Christ, the Son of God (see Mt. 16:16). Jesus was faced with a large crowd to feed. He tested his disciples to see if they were ready for the sign he was going to perform. They were in a mindset similar to the man in the story of Elisha, thinking practically, economically. Two hundred days’ wages would not be enough. They found only five barley loaves and two fish, but what good are they for so many? Jesus insisted. “Have the people recline.” And after giving thanks and (probably) saying the traditional Jewish blessing of bread, Jesus gave the loaves and the fish to the people, who recognized this as a sign of a prophet in their midst.

Reflection:
Keep saying the traditional Christian meal prayers, or something similar, both before and after your meal. It is an opportunity to pause and give thanks to God for his gifts and benefits. Attend Mass and receive the Eucharist, especially on Sundays, alongside your brothers and sisters in Christ. This is how the Lord himself spiritually feeds us.

Reflection by Br. Luke Kral, OSB