YEAR A: HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 5TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (2)
HOMILY: (Lk. 8:1-10) Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel we again hear the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. The Gospel writer noted that Jesus’ “he
YEAR A: HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 5TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
HOMILY THEME: AUTHENTIC AND SALVIFIC LOVE
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
HOMILY: (Lk. 8:1-10) Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel we again hear the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. The Gospel writer noted that Jesus’ “heart was moved with pity for the crowd. It would appear that the object of His pity was the hunger or the need of the people for food in a far away place. But it was more than that. Jesus saw the conditions of those people following Him. They hunger not only for the food of the body but more for the food of the soul. Jesus saw their need to be satisfied with the bread of life, the Word of God, Jesus Himself.
Incidentally, we just celebrated Valentines Day the other day. It was a day celebrated by lovers. Unfortunately, the celebration dwelt more on romance than the essence which Saint Valentine, its patron, had meant it to be. Red hearts were seen all over. They symbolised love. The heart is where this true loving comes from. Every couple celebrating that day hoped to sustain that love and end with both of them sharing that love. But for Jesus, love is not merely romantic or even erotic. It should also be salvific.
The multiplication of the loaves was seen by the early Church as a forestaste of heaven. It is the heavenly banquet taught by Scriptures. That in the end, all will be seated with God at the table in heaven and partaking of the feast of heaven. It had been established at the last supper, fulfilled in Calvary, and continued in every Eucharistic celebration. The love of Jesus does not only address our earthly needs. He came to save. His heart cares for our salvation.
Many parishes picked Valentines day as a day to offer the Sacrament of Marriage for couples who had been living together as husband and wife without the benefit of the sacrament. Some parishes offer this day as a time to renew the marriage vows of those who had been married sacramentally. As for us who are not part of them, let us pray for authentic and salvific love. Let everyday be a day not to celebrate merely erotic and romantic love, but true and divine love.
