Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted.  When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.  When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” (Jn 6:11-14) If you regularly attend Mass in Good Shepherd Parish, you know that it rare when I don’t mention the Blessed Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist in a homily.  Since Mass is divided into two parts, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, I want my … [Read more...]

When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. (Mk 6:34) Although the image of a shepherd and his sheep is found throughout both the Old and New Testament, many Catholics have a negative reaction to being compared with “sheep.”  As I said once in a homily, sheep are stupid, smelly animals who are defined as “classic prey,” in that they are the food of a great deal of predators, most particularly wolves, wildcats and birds of prey.  But once you study a little about sheep, you find analogies to human behavior.  For instance, sheep are incredibly social animals.  Sheep have a natural tendency to gather into a flock, and they can become very agitated and nervous when … [Read more...]

In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. (Eph. 1:11-12) The readings for this Sunday are about the idea of “mission.”  The word “mission” comes from the Latin verb “mittere,” which means “to send out.”  The obvious “sending out” in this week's Gospel is Jesus sending out the Apostles.  In fact, the word “apostle” literally means “those sent out” in Greek.  The Apostles are sent out on a “mission.”  And the idea of “mission” is part of the continuing work of the Church.  Several weeks ago we heard from Father Illuri about the mission of the church in India. However, the idea of “mission” is a lot more that … [Read more...]

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this?”  And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.”  He was amazed at their lack of faith. (Mk 6:1-2a, 3b, 4,6))   The most obvious reading in the Gospel today is that his own people did not recognize Jesus, the Messiah. But there's also something deeper going on, and it has to do with our worldview. We are called to view everything in our lives not simply through our natural eyes but through the eyes of faith.  When we look at a sunrise we … [Read more...]

The woman [healed from her hemorrhage], realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” (Mk 5:33-34) The interesting thing about the healing of the woman with the hemorrhage in the Gospel this weekend is how it happens.  Jesus doesn’t actually “do” anything positive to heal the woman.  She took the initiative to touch his clothes, and the power of Jesus healed her.  Jesus knew that “power” (His healing power) had gone out of Him, but the healing came about through her faith in Him. What a wonderful message for us!  Since we don’t live at the time when we can actually see the incarnate Lord face-to-face, we … [Read more...]

“To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it?  It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.  But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” (Mk 4:30-32) The people listening to the parables of Jesus didn’t always understand the meanings of His parables, but they surely understood agriculture.  A farmer can work as hard as he wants, but he can’t “make” a seed grow into a plant.  All the farmer can do is create the best environment for growth by planting in good soil and watering.  In the end of the day God causes the growth to occur.  So when Jesus is describing the Kingdom of God, … [Read more...]