June 2, 2013: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Example of How to help: Volunteers for Providence Food Pantry, including director Sister Joseph Fillenwarth, enjoy each other’s company as they hand out food to local people in need

“Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God,
and he healed those who needed to be cured.
As the day was drawing to a close,
the Twelve approached him and said,
“Dismiss the crowd
so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms
and find lodging and provisions;
for we are in a deserted place here.”
He said to them, “Give them some food yourselves.”
They replied, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have,
unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people.”
Now the men there numbered about five thousand.
Then he said to his disciples,
“Have them sit down in groups of about fifty.”
They did so and made them all sit down. Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
They all ate and were satisfied.
And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.” (Luke 9:11b-17)

Action:

Sometimes when a tragedy occurs or someone’s extreme need becomes known, we hear people say: “How could God allow that to happen?” or “Why doesn’t God do something?” or “There ought to be a law ….” In today’s Good News Jesus gives us one answer to these questions in his words to the disciples: “YOU give them [the hungry crowd] something to eat.” In another way of expressing it: “YOU be God’s concrete presence in this situation.” As we celebrate the feast of the gift of the Body and Blood of Jesus, how are we or how am I being invited to be the creative, caring, love-filled presence of God for someone in need?