Posted by Word Alive — Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time – B
This Sunday we read about Jesus’ miracle of the multiplication of bread and fish. Someone quipped that the miracle happened because the Jews, known for being frugal, like the Ilocanos and Boholanos, could bring out their hidden “baons” (food provisions).
Because of the little provisions that were shared, the Lord blessed and multiplied so much that the 5,000 people excluding the women and children were able to eat, even overflowing with leftovers.
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What are the messages Jesus wants us to know? First, we we must emulate his example of pity and compassion to those who are in need. A spiritual writer said, “They do not have compassion those who do not show it in action.” It’s not enough to feel sorry for the hungry and needy; we must show it in action.
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During the Covid-19 pandemic time when people had no work and many had to collect the social amelioration cash of P6,000 apiece from the barangay distributors. A man who went to the barangay office to collect his cash gift, he saw there some who were not given. Seeing those poor elderly women, he was moved to pity and said to the officer, “I’ll just donate my share to them. I can give away and manage to live with my little pension.” What a sterling act of compassion from that man!
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There are other ways by which we can exemplify pity and compassion. Our charitable act is not only material like giving money but can be immaterial like visiting the sick, listening to problems of others and consoling them, or praying for them.
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Another example we can learn from the Lord is perseverance and resourcefulness to let the 5000 people be fed.
For instance, if your parents failed in sending you to school, don’t blame them. Instead, find ways to support yourself in order to achieve what your parents could not do for you.
When I was president at the Divine Word College of Laoag, I remember one of our commerce students majoring in accountancy, who was intellectually gifted but financially destitute. The father could not support his family of nine siblings.
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But he went on to study, even if he had to work as a student janitor. Faithfully and diligently, he would come to school before six in the morning or stay up after classes in the evening to clean the classrooms.
After graduating with high honors, he went on to a review school in preparation for the accountancy board exam.
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Thanks to his diligence and determination, he placed fifth in the national board examination! Not too long after, he was hired by a big company in the province. With his copious salary, he was able to help his siblings pursue their studies.
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The success of that student should be an example forl millions of students who are now entering a new school year. Jesus says it is in the degree of our compassion and our resourcefulness that God will show compassion on us. “Blessed are the merciful for they will obtain mercy.”
Think about that and put that always into practice.
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LAFF ONE ANOTHER. Beggar to a wealthy man passing by: “Please, sir, be kind … even if it’s only for a cup of coffee. Out of charity, the rich man said: “Here…this will buy you 10 cups of coffee.”
After a week, the beggar meets the rich man. Very angry, he says: “Hey, it’s all your fault. The 10 cups of coffee almost killed me of hypertension!”
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Q: Why are oysters the most uncharitable fish?
A: Because they are shellfish.
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A story is told about a janitor hanging a signboard outside the Congress hall.
It read, “Fixers, bribers, grafters, keep out of the House.”
Just then a congressman passed by. “Better strike out grafters,” he said, “or we’ll never be able to raise a quorum.”
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