17 B SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 6:1-15, JULY 28, 2024
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.
