Homily For The 17th Sunday In Ordinary Time Year B.

2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-11.15-18; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15.

“THINGS WE DO FOR “BREAD”!”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide

• Today the church celebrates the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. On a Sunday like this, we can reflect on how desperate we can be in the face of material gains and attractions. Many of us have eaten sour grapes and our teeth are set at the edge (Jer. 31:29).

• For the “bread” of today, many of us have mortgaged our eternity and the joys of tomorrow. The reason why we find ourselves disobeying the commandments of God is either tied to friends, material benefits, or popularity. When we are called upon to defend our Christian commitment, many of us prefer to choose the things that are momentary and transient. 

• There is no doubt that a lot of people are hungry, the Nigerian economy is not looking good, and people’s hope keeps shrinking every day and no one is sure where the next meal will come from, in that desperation, a lot of people have gone for the bread of today at the expense the bread of life (eternity).

• It was not a mistake that in the Lord’s prayer we were taught to ask for our daily bread one day at a time. God will always provide but unfortunately, we even want the bread of tomorrow now, citing that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Some even make a joke and say, “O God you promised to butter my bread daily, but if the butter will delay the bread, give me bread, I will eat it with beans”.

• Beyond the jokes and the citations, Jesus demonstrates to us that he is indeed the bread of life, and he alone can sustain our lives. Unless he feeds us with the bread of life, we will always be hungry. This clearly shows in our readings today.

• In the first reading (2 Kings 4:42-44), God makes provision for his people out of nothing. Notice that the bread was brought to the man of God Elisha by another man whose name is not known or mentioned. From the generosity of the man, the hungry were fed and they had excess.

• If God could feed his people from nothing in the wilderness and they collected leftovers, how come we are always prepared to dishonor that same God for the material benefits of today? It is a clear sign of doubt and desperation. Today, God is challenging us to cast our fears and worries on him and he will support us.

• In the gospel reading (John 6:1-15), Jesus the Son of God continues to manifest his power over physical and spiritual hunger. He shows us that first thing first, if we seek spiritual satisfaction, then material satisfaction becomes an added advantage. Jesus fed the multitude from the table of the Word to the table of the Eucharist (the bread of life).

• Having spent days with Jesus in the wilderness, listening to his teaching, and experiencing the signs and wonders that accompanied his work, Jesus did not just let the people go just like that, he satisfied them both spiritually and physically. He made provision for them in the wilderness.

• Friends in Christ, observe that the bread was merely five loaves and two fishes until Jesus gave thanks. We learn here that Thanksgiving brings about multiplication and abundance. The moment Jesus gave thanks, the people had enough to eat that they collected leftovers.

• We too must learn to not always complain but to give thanks. While Philip complained about inadequacies and impossibilities, Jesus gave thanks to God knowing that with God all things are possible. Hence, no matter how bleak our situation may look we must always learn to give thanks and trust God because he alone can provide us with the bread that can never run dry.

• God is a God of abundance and does not in any way encourage wastage. After feeding the people, the leftovers were carefully collected for those who were less fortunate. Friends in Christ, sometimes when God blesses us, it is for us to bless others. The abundance we have is for us to reach out to others and not to be wasted. God frowns at wasteful people, remembering the story of Lazarus and the rich man.

• Friends in Christ, is it impossible for the God who fed the people in the wilderness to abandon you in your own time of need? Remember that the people did not tell him they were hungry, Jesus saw their need, and he fed them and had compassion on them, that God has not changed. So, do you think he has abandoned you, why are you prepared to dishonor him for the comfort of here and now, it is an opportunity for us to think again and reconsider.

• In the second reading (Ephesians 4:1-6), St. Paul tells us that certain kinds of lifestyles are expected of Christians. We are not Epicureans but the children of God. Hence, we must live in a manner of life worthy of our calling as children of God and children of life.

• If we are children of God, then we must practice lowliness (humility), meekness, patience, forbearance, unity, and peace because there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.

• Today we must cast out every doubt, every fear, every hopelessness, and trust in the power of God who always provides. The responsorial Psalm assures us that “you open your hand, Lord, and satisfy us” (Ps. 145:16). If he, did it in the past, why will he not do it again in our time?

• May the good Lord bless his word in our hearts through Christ our Lord, Amen!

• Happy Sunday!!!