18TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A GOSPEL COMMENTARY (Aug. 6, 2023)
GOSPEL OF 18TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A
Mt 14:13–21
When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over — twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.
VIDEO COMMENTARY ON TODAY’S GOSPEL
TOPIC: Do you know what happens when you show love, compassion and generosity to those who ask for your help?
After John the Baptist’s beheading in the court of Herod Antipas, Jesus withdraws from the populace. He may have needed some time to rest after a back-breaking schedule of teachings. It could also be to avoid the radar of His enemies.
But as He alights from the boat on the other side of Galilee, He is met by a large crowd. He sees many of them pleading for healing and, out of compassion, He accedes.
Oftentimes, we are caught by unexpected calls for help. In these pandemic times, how many came to us pleading for money to buy food, for help in looking for a job, for assistance to bring a loved one to the hospital?
We all have plans for our day. We may not even want to plan but just to laze around, rest and be left alone. We have probably scheduled Zoom meetings with friends, or colleagues at work, or community and parish activities. Our day may have been allotted for watching Netflix movies and TV series, baking and cooking lessons, following a You Tube or Facebook exercise video or vlog.
And then this unexpected call for help. We may ignore, refuse, make excuses to this inconvenient and time- and money-consuming call. But is this what Christ will do in such a situation? Is this how God will respond when it’s our time to ask for help?
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