Sunday 28 July 2024
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
2 Kings 4:42-44. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs – Psalm 144(145):10-11, 15-18. Ephesians 4:1-6. John 6:1-15.
All are welcome
The psalm tells us that ‘the hand of the Lord feeds us’. Elisha was famous for his miraculous activities, and this episode of feeding 100 men in 2 Kings is matched with John’s account of the feeding of the 5000. Nothing is impossible for God. Food is the place where we form and consolidate relationships. Peace comes from gathering around the kitchen table; stories are told and love is shared.
The reading from 2 Kings, Psalm 144 and from John says something about God’s place at the table. With God becoming incarnate in Jesus, the whole emphasis changes again. Jesus gave thanks for the food and gave it to all who were gathered, and there were 12 baskets left over. Twelve is the symbol of God’s perfect governance so here is a pre-emption of the Eucharist. All are welcome, and there will be plenty left over because it is God who is the gatherer.
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