Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time [A]

Readings
Isaiah 55:1-3
Romans 8:35, 37-39
Matthew 14:13-21

Calendar
July 31: Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
August 6: Feast of the Transfiguration
August 6: 60th Anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb over Hiroshima in 1945
August 9: 60th Anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb over Nagasaki in 1945

Quotes
If you are coming to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you are coming because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.
Australian aboriginal woman

Respect for human dignity and belief in the equal dignity of all the members of the human family demand policies aimed at enabling all peoples to have access to the means required to improve their lives, including the technological means and skills needed for development. Respect for nature by everyone, a policy of openness to immigrants, the cancellation or significant reduction of the debt of poorer nations, the promotion of peace through dialogue and negotiation, the primacy of the rule of law: these are the priorities which the leaders of the developed nations cannot disregard. A global world is essentially a world of solidarity!
John Paul II, Audience with President Bush, July 23, 2002

Our nation has been blessed with great freedom, vibrant democratic traditions, unprecedented economic strengths, abundant natural resources, and a generous and religious people. Yet not all is right with our nation. Our prosperity does not reach far enough. Our culture does not lift us up; instead it may bring us down in moral terms. This new world we lead is still too dangerous, giving rise to ethnic cleansing and an inability to confront hunger and genocide. We are still falling short of the American pledge of "liberty and justice for all," our declaration to defend the inalienable rights of the person--"life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
U.S. Bishops, Faithful Citizenship: Civic Responsibility for a New Millennium

When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fallí¢â‚¬"think of it, always!
Mahatma Gandhi

Thoughts for Your Consideration
The scriptures today are about food and the sharing of food. Isaiah reminds us of the abundance of food í¢â‚¬" all as a gift from God. In the midst of their need, Jesus leads the disciples and the people in an unexpected and wonderful sharing of abundance. In this sharing, God is encountered. Eucharist is experienced.

This spirit of abundance and sharing is a challenge to the greed, selfishness and profit seeking that we find so dominate in parts of our culture. The spirit behind the gospel challenges us and challenges the worst parts of our "capitalistic way of doing things." The gospel of Jesus values the good of people over the value of capital. Food and water are more than just products to be bought and sold.

The gospel is about more than just giving out food. Jesus does not just "magically" create food. He calls the disciples into reflection and action on their situation in solidarity with everyone who is gathered. On behalf of the community, Jesus expresses gratitude and faith in God. He gets people to sit down and share. Food is passed from person to person. Instead of the hoarding of the leftovers, the people gather up what remains. The gospel is a gospel of solidarity and empowerment. As always, we are called to put into practice the works of charity and also the works of justice.

Questions for Reflection in your Faith Sharing Group
When have you had a powerful experience of sharing food with others?
What made it so powerful for you?

Actions - Links
August 6 and August 9 are the 60th anniversaries of the dropping of the first atomic bombs used in combat. For Hiroshima/Nagasaki Remembrance Day Resources (prayer services, action suggestions, etc.) go to the Pax Christi USA Web Site: http://www.paxchristiusa.org/news_events_more.asp?id=937. You might also visit the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) at http://www.fcnl.org/nuclear/.

Prayer í¢â‚¬" Meditation

O God, you came to bring peace, to offer reconciliation, to heal the separation between people, and to show how it is possible for men and women to overcome their differences and to celebrate their unity. You revealed your God as a God of all people, a God without resentments or desires for revenge, a God who cares for each one of his children with an infinite love and mercy and who does not hesitate to invite them into his own house.

But our world today does not look like a world that knows you. Our nations are torn by chaos, hatred, violence, and war. In many places, death rules.

O God, do not forget the world into which you came to save your people; do not turn your back on your children who desire to live in harmony but who are constantly entangled in fear, anger, lust, violence, greed, suspicion, jealousy, and hunger for power. Bring your peace to this world, a peace we cannot make ourselves. Awaken the consciousness of all peoples and their leaders; raise up men and women full of love and generosity who can speak and act for peace, and show us new ways in which hatred can be left behind, wounds can be healed, and unity restored.

O God, come to our assistance. O God, make haste to help us. Amen.

Adopted from "A Cry for Mercy," by Henri J.M. Nouwen

God our Father,
in the name of him
who gave bread to the hungry,
we remember all
who through our human ignorance,
folly, and sin
are condemned to live in want.

Show us, who have so much,
what we can do
to help those who have so little;
and bless the efforts of those
who work to overcome poverty and hunger,
that sufficient food may be found for all;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

From the Book of Common Order of the Church of Scotland, St. Andrew Press