Jesus poses this question to the disciples: "Do you still not understand?" and that question hung in the air as I listened to this portion of the gospel from Mark. It follows the disciples' concern about not bringing enough bread to eat. Jesus then asks the disciples a series of questions that struck me as good questions for each of us today.
Jesus asks, do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? He knows what they've seen and heard and then leads them to remember what he's done to feed giant crowds who were hungry.
Jesus, the master teacher, is helping them to grow in trust in Him. His questions allow them to recall how He not only miraculously fed 5,000 people but that there was more food than they needed.
This concern by the disciples for food is something we can all relate to, whether on a boat, a car ride, a camping trip, or somewhere else. We suddenly discover we don't have enough food and to make it worse there's no short-term solution. But I think this also applies to nonfood shortages: things like patience with family members, friends, or co-workers, courage in the face of uncertainty, and many other virtues that we discover we're lacking. (and wonder, what can we do?)
But, all of us who are celebrating this Mass, like the disciples, are in the presence of God, through His Word in the readings, the Eucharist that will be made present, and His grace that He is showering upon; each of us right now!
Sure, we might be like the disciples, concerned about the things we lack (material, physical, spiritual), but Jesus is speaking to us right now, asking us if we have eyes and ears that have seen and heard His work in our lives? He's asking us to remember not only the teachings of the gospel but also the moments when He has given us what we needed, perhaps to make it to this Mass today.
Today's responsorial psalm says: "Blessed is the man whom you instruct." My brothers and sisters, we are all blessed by God's teaching. He wants to teach us every day.
All we need to do is to show up, open our eyes and ears, and let Jesus teach us what we need to know each day, so that we will grow in understanding of how to live with Him and our families, offering our lives as those precious first fruits as St. James references.
Lastly, Jesus also asks, "Are your hearts hardened?" That's another good reflection question because sometimes we do become hardened but gradually without really knowing it.
Whatever our answers to Jesus' questions, the bottom line is that He is the One who can nourish us in mind, body, and soul; if only we stay close and listen to Him and watch for Him, that's when we can also grow in understanding too.
May God bless you and your families this holy day, and let us stay close to the Lord who feeds us each day of our lives!
Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
Reverend David S. Marcham is the Vice Postulator for the Cause of Venerable Patrick Peyton, and Director of the Father Peyton Guild, whose members pray for Father Peyton’s beatification and spread his message of the importance of Family Prayer. Prior to becoming a seminarian, Father David was a physical therapist and clinical instructor, serving hospital inpatients and outpatients throughout the greater Boston area for eleven years. In 1998 he heard the call to priesthood and was ordained in the Archdiocese of Boston in 2005. Father David grew up in Quincy, MA, and has fond memories of playing soccer, tennis and running track. You’re never without a friend when Father David is around, as he welcomes everyone into his circle with a smile on his face!
