This weekend we celebrate the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
In the reading from the Book of Kings, Elijah is the prophet the Lord has appointed to instruct the people of Israel. Elisha is his disciple. He presents Elijah an offering for the Lord of twenty barley leaves. Elijah tells Elisha to give it to those served at the Lord’s tent. Elisha doesn’t think there is enough to feed so many. Elijah says give it to them anyways, “for thus says the Lord, They shall eat and there shall be some leftover.” They ate their fill and indeed some were leftover. This prefigures the many Gospel feeding stories. God knows our needs and will provide for all of us. Have faith!
In Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, he provides practical ethical suggestions for unity among early followers. We are urged to live “with all humility and gentleness… through love.” There is one baptism which joins us in the unity of the Spirit. There is one Lord Jesus Christ. We are brothers and sisters through baptism and called to share in the joy of God’s love. God’s love in Christ Jesus is not a secret and is meant to be used and shared by all of us. May we strive for unity and oneness in Christ.
John’s Gospel parallels our first reading from the Book of Kings. Jesus feeds the five thousand plus crowd with five barely loaves and two fish. The leftovers fill twelve wicker baskets. The people see this sign and proclaim Jesus to be the prophet who is to come into the world. God’s love never fails and provides for all of us!
