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Gospel Reading for December 4, 2024 – Matthew 15: 29-37
USELESS/MEANINGLESS
At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.
Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.
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Great crowds always came to Jesus bringing with them their sick or PWDs and Jesus was so accommodating. He cured them all. Nowhere in the gospels do we find Jesus refusing to heal the sick. The work of salvation is not just for the souls of people. It is also for the lives of people. If medical practitioners would do their duty diligently and responsibly, they are instruments of Christ in his work of salvation.
Jesus was also concerned that the people should not go away hungry, “for fear they may collapse on the way.” Maybe, for some of us, what would be important is that people came to stay and listen, but after we have said all that we wanted to say, it is no longer our responsibility. What is Jesus teaching us here? Words, however beautiful they may be, if not seen in action would be USELESS/MEANINGLESS. What else is Jesus teaching us here? We all are responsible for our brethren who have nothing to eat. The food we have on our table is not just for us but for those who have no food on their table, or even do not have a table to eat upon.
How can we REALLY GLORIFY GOD if so many are sick but do not have the means to get well? How can we REALLY GLORIFY GOD if so many are hungry and do not have the means to buy food?
As St. Irenaeus said, “THE GLORY OF GOD IS MAN FULLY ALIVE!”
Lord, during this season of Advent, may we evermore remember with generosity, the people who are in need around us!
