Homily for Saturday of the 5th Weekin Ordinary Time Cycle II (2)

Homily for Saturday of the 5th Weekin Ordinary Time Cycle II

Theme: Having Given Thanks

By: Fr. Gerald M. Musa

Homily for Saturday February 12 2022

The famous philosopher Socrates says, “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” The words of the philosopher reflect the action of Jesus. Jesus and his disciples had a crowd who had nothing to eat. The disciples wondered how possible it was to feed the crowd with the little loaves available. Jesus asked, how many loaves they had and they answered, “seven.” He took the seven loaves, and having, given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people.” They ate and were satisfied and had seven baskets left over. Jesus demonstrated how something little can bring so much. Please note that the little became much only after Jesus uttered words of thanksgiving. There is much in small when God is in it. The miracle of the fish and loaves reminds us of the Holy Eucharist (Holy Mass), which we celebrate daily as a thanksgiving sacrifice. The miracle of the multiplication of loaves shows how gratitude attracts miracles and blessings. The Dominican mystic, Meister Eckhart says, “If the only prayer you said in your life was “Thank You,” that would suffice.” We have received so much from God and yet have little or no time to say thank you to him. Can we cultivate the habit of showing appreciation for what we have, before seeking the miracle of multiplication?

Mark 8:1-10; Saturday, 5th Week