Daily homily for Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle I
Theme: A compassionate God
By: Fr Francis Onwunali
Homily for Monday August 2 2021
“All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk!” (Is. 55: 1). As we begin the first working day of the month, the above assurance will be our guide.
In the first reading (Num. 11: 4-15), the Israelites, despite God’s intervention in their life journey, still complained against God and Moses for bringing them out of Egypt. “Would that we had meat for food! We remember the fish we used to eat without cost in Egypt… but now we are famished; we see nothing before us but this manna.”
In the gospel (Matt. 14: 13-21), Jesus manifests His compassion by feeding the five thousand who have been listening to Him and are now hungry. God’s abundant love overflows in every situation of our lives.
Dear friends, God is bigger than any problem or situation we may find ourselves. The Israelites in the desert were not patient and humble to come before the Lord and seek God’s care. God’s promise is: “I will feed you with finest wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you” (Ps. 81: 16). What is my reaction when things do not turn out the way I expect? Do I complain or do I still trust in God’s care?
I pray as we journey in life today, we will realize that when God gives, He gives in abundance, however, we need to be patient, wait and humble ourselves before the Lord Who knows the deepest longings of our heart. May we experience today an overflowing of God’s generosity.
Have a gratitude-full day!
Fr Francis Onwunali