Parish Priest's Corner
-
17th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B
-
God Can Multiply Our Gifts
1st Reading: 2 Kgs 4:42-44 2nd Reading: Eph 4:1-6 Gospel: Jn 6:1-15
GROW: I once saw Tony Melendez, a musician born without arms, play his guitar for the pope – with his feet – and I knew I had witnessed something exceptional, something extraordinary. We may be feeling the same way about some of the Olympic performances taking place right now. But however amazed Tony Melendez or an Olympic medal performance might make us feel, it is hard to imagine what it must have been like to experience Jesus taking a few barley loaves and fish, blessing them, and somehow feeding more than 5,000 people. How Great Thou Art, indeed! Participating in this miracle was life-changing for those who realized what Jesus had done. They were convinced, on the spot, that Jesus was a prophet, and were ready to carry him away as a king. But Jesus did not come to be an earthly king, he came to give his life for us, that we might have life with him in abundance.
GO: One boy gives up his lunch and Jesus feeds thousands – and there were twelve wicker baskets with fragments left over! Think of how God can multiply our gifts. Perhaps there are times we fail to share what we have, thinking it is too small to make a difference; thinking that what we bring to feed others can’t possibly be worth anything. Sure, what usually happens with us isn’t on a scale like today’s Gospel passage, and our offering may not be “Olympic” in nature. But in sharing our gifts as Jesus calls us to – to love our neighbor and to do “small things with great love” as St. Teresa of Calcutta is purported to have said – there is no such thing as a gift or talent too small. Ask the Holy Spirit for fortitude as you strive to share your gifts.
ACTION: Perhaps it’s time to contact someone who has been on your mind lately. A seemingly small gesture of concern may be just the support they need right now. With the help of the Holy Spirit, perhaps you may be a source of affirmation for them, providing a catalyst that helps them discern their path more clearly.
Father Anthony Ahamefule
Pastor
-
Parish Priest's Corner Archive
- God Can Multiply Our Gifts
- Your Are Called to Tend God's Flock
- Discipleship Begins from the Heart
- Drawing Life from the Eucharist
- Just Have Faith
- Refocus Your Life in God
- The Seed is the Word of God
- Corpus Christi
- Come Holy Spirit
- Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
- Love One Another
- Christ is the Vine, We are the Branches
- Our Response to the Good Shepherd
- Third Sunday of Easter
- Divine Mercy Sunday
- He is Risen! Alleluia!
- Holy Week 2021 & Triduum Explained
- Reconciliation: Jesus is Waiting for You
- While I am in the World, I am the Light of the World
- Thirst for Living Water
- Transfigure Us, O Lord
- If You Wish You Can Make Me Clean
- Reach Beyond Your Circle
- Has Jesus Ever Astonished You? Tell Someone!
- The Way of Christ
- The Story of the Search
- You Have Put On Christ
- A New Year with Mary
-
-
-
-
- Christ, Our Joy and Hope
- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
- Rejoice & Be the Light
- "What sort of persons ought you to be?"
- Maranatha: Come, Lord Jesus!
- Christ the King
- The Saint Next Door
- Discipleship
- Devotions
- Faith Formation
- Forgive and Be Forgiven
- Walking with Jesus
- Faith & Reconciliation
- Compassion & Discipleship
- The Power of God's Grace
- Good Shepherd Sunday
- Divine Mercy Sunday
- Holy Week
- Jesus, Light of the World
- Thirst for Living Water
- Transfiguration
- The Temptation of of Jesus
- An Encounter with Jesus Christ
- The Baptism of the Lord
- Epiphany: The Manifestation of the Lord
-
-
-
- The Word Became Flesh
- Prepare the Way of the Lord
- Maranatha: Come, Lord Jesus!
- Outreach Ministry
- The Tabernacle
- Living With God Forever
- Let Nothing Hold You Back
- Humility in Prayer
- New Saints for the Church
- Jesus, the Healer of Our Souls
- Updates
- Compete Well for the Faith
- Faith Formation
- The Merciful Father
- How Do We Follow Christ?
- Devotions
- In God We Trust
- Archbishop Sample's Pastoral Visit
- To Become Saints: The Journey of Faith
- Who Is My Neighbor?
- A Splendid Mission
- Jesus' Firm Decision
- Corpus Christi
- The Most Holy Trinity
- Pentecost: Rediscover Your Gift
- Ascension
- My Peace I Give You
- The New Commandment is to Love
- Christ the Good Shepherd
- Do You Love Me?
- Divine Mercy
- Easter Sunday 2019
- Holy Week
- Neither Do I Condemn You
- The Prodigal Son
- Rediscover Christ
- Transformation
- The Temptation of Jesus
- Lenten Season
- Looking Ahead to Lent
- Jesus Transforms Us
- Jesus' Mission Statement
- Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - Respect Life
- Baptism of the Lord 2019
- Epiphany 2019: You Are the Light Today
-
-
-
- 1st Sunday of Advent 2018 - Maranatha: Come, Lord Jesus!
- Christ the King 2018 - Financial Report
- Thanksgiving 2018
- Self Sacrifice & Dependence on God
- "Saints risk everything to put the Gospel into practice."
- The Light of Christ
- A Kingdom of Sacrifice and Service
- Made For Each Other
- “Whoever Is Not Against Us Is For Us”
- Discipleship: A Call to Serve
- Lord, You Have the Words of Everlasting Life
-
-