Loneliness is the greatest hunger today … when we share time for elders and children we create a joyful world
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – July 28, 2024
In contrast to many of us who worry whether we have enough, the First Reading and Gospel reveal the underlying generosity of God, and God’s ability to make “a little bit” go a long way.
I strongly believe, when we are generous with others, people will be generous with us. I’m reminded of a story from the life of St Mother Teresa in India, who heard of a woman with children who was without food for two days. She came to visit the lady and gave her some rice. The lady immediately ran out the back of her little “house” and came back with only half the quantity give to her. When Mother Teresa asked what happened, the lady said: “my neighbour has also been without food for two days, so I shared with her what you gave me.”
Sometimes, when we are in difficult situations, food or other issues, we can become too focused on ourselves and forget the struggles of others. However, that kind of attitude, kills the joy that we should have in our lives. And St Paul, in the second reading, encourages us to live in harmony with each other, precisely so we can have joy in our lives, even in tough times.
Our regular interaction with our wider community can often give us a perspective that helps us see our blessings as well as our struggles. One of our youth members shared about his first experience of giving our food in Mathare slums: “when I woke up this morning I thought I was very poor and thought a lot about what I do not have. But after going to Mathare, today, and helping some desperate families there, I realised I was rich despite all my challenges.”
The Gospel has two parts: Jesus begins by going to a certain place and teaching about the Kingdom of God. Then, Jesus takes note of the needs of the people there and moves from words to actions. As Christians we, too, must be people of action, not just words.
The questioning of Philip is also a way of teaching the disciples: Jesus already knew what he would do. Next we see the offering of the small boy. The unimportant boy reveals to the disciples, how God uses those whom society thinks have no value to empower others.
It’s a reminder to us that we walk in partnership with God. We often stress about how can I help a situation of need for others when I am just one person? One of our Oblate youth living in Mathare slums during Covid-19, saw a lot of suffering and wanted to help. So he started developing a Go-Fund Me page but they don’t work with Kenyan banks. After bringing it to the youth group, we were able to take his idea and make it a reality.
Now, that small step has provided food to many families: last week the youth fed 80 families: like the little boy with 5 loaves + 2 fish, our young man with a heart full of compassion moved to action and, with the help of others, God has provided food for many: he didn’t give up, as one of the disciples said in our Gospel today: “…but what is that between so many?”
This unimportant Oblate youth member living in poverty, has been an instrument of God to provide food for hundreds of families: food that many important, rich people in Government could have easily done, if they stopped thinking about themselves and corruptly taking money.
A challenge for us: Generosity has its own reward: but do we find it difficult to be generous? Perhaps it’s good for us to ponder this question: Is my lack of generosity causing a split in our society so that, the world my children inherit, will be less friendly and more violent, as people try to take what they need by force?
Jesus did not wait for a request to give food: he saw the need of the people and acted. Do we see the needs of others and act, or do we wait until asked? And sometimes we try to hide so we cannot be asked? It’s tricky. Sometimes we might be afraid, and other times tired/ selfish??
The example given in the Gospel is about giving people food, but we know that “people do not live on bread alone”. What do you see in our local neighbourhood? Our local community? Gen-Z have seen the need for people to have a better Government and less corruption. They have challenged the corrupt Government, because they combined to make a credible force.
On a personal level, if we don’t give food, what can we give to our community? I would suggest, we all have time: those without jobs have more time than others. What can they do? When we look around our communities we see many children with poor education. Can some of us who are good in maths or English, talk to the local parish and offer to teach the children after school: to be like mentors and give the extra practice they need to be excellent?
Imagine the joy of parents when their children come home with A’s or B’s. They will show their gratitude to the generous youth who mentored them. The youth will receive lots of love from the children and parents; and grow in self-esteem; and God will open new opportunities.
Mother Teresa also told us that loneliness is the greatest hunger in the world today. So, can we ask ourselves, who can I visit nearby on a regular schedule? Just drop in for cuppa, or take drinks with us if they are poor? Be generous, and see the love that comes back to bless us.
By Gerard Conlan, OMI
