When Faith Fills Us with Abundance

The 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time follows the Bread of Life discourse as we will hear from the Gospel of the Beloved Apostle for the next few weeks. We hear about hungry people in the Book of Kings and John’s gospel.

Jesus intervenes specially. In last week’s gospel, Jesus discusses what a good shepherd is and does. He puts it into action by fulfilling the hunger of those who were following him.

The passage recalls that the “Jewish feast of Passover was near.” This feast recalls God’s saving the Israelites from death both from the Egyptians and to spare them from the last plague. The feast is celebrated with a meal that consists of, among other things, unleavened bread and wine and an unblemished lamb that will be sacrificed and eaten.

At first, Philip, the apostle, was alarmed at the five thousand, possibly more if the women and children were counted. Jesus invites the crowd to recline. Andrew tells them about the boy carrying the five loaves and two fish. He then invites to boy to distribute what he has. Jesus reveals his revealing power to feed the hungry.

What saved them was their faith in Jesus. When we have faith, we are filled with abundance.

Jesus satisfies our hungry desires, and our hearts that long for him. Let him satisfy your hungry heart when faith is placed in him.