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16th Sunday in Ordinary time MK 6/30-346/1-15 |
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| Background:
The liturgy interrupts the smooth flow of Mark’s dynamic text to interject a
very different kind of literary form in John’s story of the multiplication of loaves
and fishes with its theological and mystical overtones. A good deal of ink has been spilt
trying to account for this “miracle.” Jesus certainly did things which his
contemporaries thought were miracles. We miss the point of his life and work when we try
to present him without miracles, though they were “signs,” not proofs as they
are often made out to be today. In this particular case, however, we miss the point even
more if we read the Gospel as a miracle story. In fact, it is Eucharistic, interpreted in
this context early in the history of the Church when the eucharistic liturgy in its
primitive form was already part of the life of the Church, a meal that replicated in some
fashion the death of Jesus, worshipped God, and drew the community together with one
another and with God, |
read the padre |
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Story: Once upon a time a crowd of young people
(in this day and age folks under thirty five) poured out of the five o’clock Saturday
afternoon mass and promptly engaged in a fierce argument, the kind that one hears
sometimes between Cubs fans and Sox fans. They were members of a young adult group who
went around doing good things. They were admirable, dedicated, and enthusiastic men and
women of whom the pastor said they were a credit to the parish – all the time keeping
his fingers cross for fear that they might take the parish away from him. They were
arguing about their Sunday morning project. Normally they tutored inner city high school
students who were preparing for college boards. However, there was also an environmental
demonstration that day. The more liberal young people insisted that the environmental
protest was more important. The more conservative young people said that they had a solemn
obligation to help the minority students make it into college. Neither side would budge an
inch. So right there in front of Church after the liturgy they all lost their tempers. The
team broke into two groups. Both sides insisted they would never work with the other
again. They departed very angry. The young priest who heard the argument shook his head in
dismay I don’t think either side understand what the liturgy means.
July Homilies: 2nd | 9th | 16th
| 23rd | 30th
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