TOPIC:
JESUS FEEDS THE HUNGRY
17C SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 6:1-15, JULY 24, 2022
1. STORY
Early in the morning a mother told her five children that there was no food for
breakfast as they had no bread, eggs or milk. They would have to go to school hungry. She asked them to pray to God for food. Little Johnny, on his way to school, entered
the church he passed daily. He walked up
to the altar, looked around carefully, but he saw no one. He then prayed in a loud voice to God for
food. He told God that his mother said God would
provide them with food if they asked. On his return home, he opened the door
and was amazed to find bread, eggs, and milk on the table. He told his mother it was God who gave them
this gift. His mother assured him that
he was correct; but while he was praying in church, a kind lady overheard his
prayer and brought them the food.
2. GOSPEL, JOHN 6:1-15
A. THE PEOPLE WERE HUNGRY. Jesus attracted many people when he spoke. He was concerned that they were hungry having
followed him for some time. The
disciples were puzzled as how to feed so many. Jesus knew what to do.
B. JESUS FEEDS ABOUT FIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE.
Jesus
blessed five barley loaves and two fish. The disciples passed them out to all the
people. The gospel tells us “They had their
fill. There were twelve baskets of fragments left over.” Jesus was able to feed all of them with plenty
of food left over.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A. MANY PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY.
There
are two kinds of hunger, both physical hunger and spiritual hunger. There are many people who are physically
hungry by not having enough food, drinkable water, clothing, little medical
care, and no proper shelter. There are many
who are spiritually hungry. They have no
love, no happiness, no peace, and no hope in their hearts. Life for them is
without hope.
B. WE TRY TO HELP BOTH THE PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY HUNGRY.
i)
We help the physically hungry by supporting the St. Vincent De Paul Society,
Caritas, by donating to the different appeals made by our bishop and by sharing
our blessings with groups who come to our parish such as the Little Sisters of
the Poor.
ii) We help the spiritually poor by praying for them, visiting the sick, and
calling someone you know who is lonely. We help them when we introduce them to Jesus.
4. CONCLUSION
Little Johnny prayed to God for food and his prayers were answered. Jesus cared
for those who were hungry and provided about five thousand people with plenty
of food. We have received God’s many
blessings and should help both the physically and spiritually hungry. We thank
Jesus for remembering us of our duty to help others. We ask
him for the strength to follow his good example.
