3rd August 2008
My Mother comes from a family of 12, eight boys and four girls. Often she regales us with stories of her childhood days, many of which center around the family table where the 12 children and two parents daily sat down to eat. Despite the number none of them ever went hungry, and even if a surprise guest happened to call they managed to get fed as well. In today's gospel reading we get an image of the type of person Jesus was, a man who was real and practical, someone who felt moved by people who suffered, and someone who no doubt felt hunger as we do from time to time.
The miracle mentioned in today's gospel is mentioned six times throughout the four gospels, an indication of how important the early Christians thought it to be. It is the only miracle of Jesus where he invites his disciples to get involved. His words 'give them something to eat yourselves' is so central in what their future role would be in the world. In fact it is the central action of the Church down the centuries. Before our eyes at Mass the bread and the wine are offered to the Father, changed by the power of the Holy Spirit into the body and blood of Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. And still some people say Mass is boring! How can it be if all this is true? A non believer one day spoke to a Roman Catholic and said if he believed what the Catholic Church teachers about the Eucharist then he would go into the Church on his knees! We must reclaim the Sacredness of the Eucharist, and foster a greater sense of silence in our Churches. In fact I would suggest that the demand for the Tridentine Rite is in part down to a people who have become tired of innovation, and unimpressed with much of modern Liturgical practice.
'Give them something to eat yourselves' is exactly what the Church does each time she celebrates the Eucharist. The one Bread is broken and shared for many; it nourishes us and helps us on our earthly pilgrimage. In this year of Vocation pray that there may always be enough priests who will faithful celebrate the Eucharist. Because No Priest, No Eucharist, No Eucharist, No Church!
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Homilies Archive
2009 HOMILIES
25th December 2008
Christmas
21st December 2008
14th December 2008
8th December 2008
Immaculate Conception
7th December 2008
2nd Sunday of Advent
30th November 2008
1st Sunday of Advent
23rd November 2008
Christ the King
16th November 2008
2nd November 2008
All Souls
1st November 2008
All Saints
26th October 2008
12th October 2008
5th October 2008
28th September 2008
21st September 2008
14th September 2008
7th September 2008
31st August 2008
24th August 2008
17th August 2008
15th August 2008
Assumption
10th August 2008
3rd August 2008
20th July 2008
13th July 2008
29th June 2008
22nd June 2008
1st June 2008
23rd March 2008
Easter Sunday
22nd March 2008
Easter Vigil
2nd March 2008
24th February 2008
17th February 2008
10th February 2008
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