18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Solemnity of Saint Peter Julian Eymard for the Eymardian Family
Saint Peter Julian Eymard, whose life and mission are recalled by the Church today, devoted his life, energy, and all his attention to reminding the Church of the importance of food for our journey. More than ordinary food, Saint Peter Julian dedicated his mission to Christ as the center of our Christian life.
He understood, as the prophet Isaiah in today’s first reading, that all of us are hungry and thirsty and always seeking to be satisfied. The words of the prophet Isaiah echoed in St. Peer Julian: Come to me. As Psalm 145 says, the Lord alone can feed us and answer all our needs.
Through the gospel of the multiplication of the loaves, in today’s Gospel story, comes to us through the language, context, and images of another time and another culture. The biblical scholars remind us that the actions of Jesus in this story are definitely those of the early Church’s liturgical tradition, that is, a Eucharistic ritual: gather the people, offer the blessing, break the loaves, and give them to the people. This is our model for our spiritual and Christian journey. We are to gather rather than reject and exclude; we are to bless and give thanks rather than judge; we are to generously share rather than protect and selfishly hoard.
What we often forget, but should not, are the “leftovers”. There are more left over than when they started the distribution (sharing). The entire story shouts of God’s GENEROSITY. What a challenging Eucharistic characteristic for my spiritual journey! Amen!
Let Us Pray:
Gracious God of our ancestors, you led Peter Julian Eymard, like Jacob in times past, on a journey of faith. Under the guidance of your gentle Spirit, Peter Julian discovered the gift of love in the Eucharist, which your son Jesus offered for the hungers of humanity.
Grant that we may celebrate this mystery worthily, adore it profoundly, and proclaim it prophetically for your great glory. Amen.
