18A SUNDAY HOMILY MATTHEW 14:13-21, August 2, 2026
By Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM
1. STORY
Cardinal Joseph
Zen tells this story about when he was a boy. One cold winter day his family of seven, 5
children and his parents, were poor and there was no food in the house. His father had a stroke and was ill. His mother suggested he should not go to serve
Mass as was his custom as it was so cold. His father insisted that his son go as usual. So little Joseph ran to church and served at
Mass. As he left the church to go
home, an elderly Catholic asked him if he were Mr. Zen's son and why he had not
seen his father at church for a long time. Cardinal Zen told him that his father was ill
and explained his family situation. Mr.
Chow dressed simply but was a rich man. He
told the cardinal to follow him home. He
took out a stack of money, wrapped it and gave it to the little boy to take
home to his father. The cardinal said
they had enough money to feed the family for several months. God had provided the family with their daily
bread.
2.GOSPEL, MATTHEW
14: 13-21
A) JESUS' HEART
WAS MOVED WITH PITY FOR THEM
A large crowd of
people had been following him to hear his message and be cured. He was very aware and concerned as they had
not eaten and it was not easy for them to buy food in the area. So, he took pity on them.
B) JESUS FED FIVE
THOUSAND
Jesus took the
food available, five loaves and two fish, blessed them and told the
disciples to give this food to the crowd. "They all ate and were satisfied."
Jesus helped them in their hour of need.
3.APPLICATION TO
LIFE
A) PEOPLE IN NEED
Today there are
many people in need. In our parish there
are the poor, the sick, lonely and the elderly. I was told that there are 33 homes for the
elderly in our area. We must follow the
example of Jesus and be aware and concerned about these needy persons. Jesus is aware that we are in need of
spiritual food and so he daily provides us with spiritual food, the Eucharist.
B) JESUS HELPS
THE NEEDY
Just as Jesus
asked the disciples to help him so he asks us to help him care for the needy. One way to help the poor is to support the
work of our St. Vincent De Paul Society which helps the poor in our area. We help the sick by praying for them and
visiting them when possible. We can help
the lonely by calling them and showing them that you are concerned about them. Jesus helps us by providing the Eucharist, our
spiritual bread, to give us the strength to follow his example of helping the
needy.
4.CONCLUSION
The elderly man,
when made aware of Cardinal Zen's family situation, provided money for the
family to buy food. Jesus knowing that
the people were hungry and it was difficult to buy food in the area, multiplied
the bread and fish and feed over five thousand people. Jesus cares for us by providing us with
spiritual food, the Eucharist. Strengthened
by this spiritual food, Jesus wishes us to help him care for the need in our
parish.
