Daily Gospel Reflection
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January 7, 2020
When Jesus saw the great crowd, he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.”
But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?”
And he said to them, “How many loaves have you? Go and see.” When they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”
Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all.
And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.
The multiplication of the loaves and fish is a well-known miracle, so perhaps some attention could be directed towards the beginning of this passage. The crowds follow Jesus and he welcomes them with compassion and even pity, instead of sending them away. Jesus sacrifices his own wants, desires, and needs for the benefit of others. Those benefits were many! Jesus cured the sick and performed the multiplication of the loaves and fish, and he also likely encouraged them to forgive and be generous to the poor. The crowd receives life both spiritually and physically through Jesus’ self-sacrifice.
As with the Paschal mystery, Jesus’ dying to self—neglecting his own wants—in service to others brings them new life.
St. Irenaeus boldly stated that “God became man so man could become God.” It is worth reflecting upon the opportunities we have to die to ourselves, which will bring about new life in others. In doing so, we participate in the Paschal mystery.
Perhaps these opportunities might be when we wash the dishes for our spouse when we’d prefer to watch TV, help a colleague when it means we’ll have extra work ourselves, play catch with our children when we’re tired, or spend a Saturday volunteering when we’d prefer to relax or run errands. Each instance of dying to our selfish desires presents an opportunity for others to be raised up—to receive the spiritual nourishment the crowds received from Jesus.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we offer ourselves to you in the hope that, as your Son once multiplied loaves and fishes, you might convert our weakness into strength, our trepidation into courage. You have often called people to tasks they find daunting or beyond their ability. With the same grace you supply the saints, help us to respond fully to the call of discipleship, regardless where it takes us. Dispel the complacency, doubt, or fear in our hearts. Fill us with the love and zeal that alone can nourish us, so that we may help nourish those around us who hunger and thirst. Give us the passion for ministry you instilled in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton; make us true followers of Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Raymond of Penafort is patron saint of lawyers. He led and expanded the Dominican order just after the death of its founder, but made his mark on the world through his relentless teaching and preaching.
Raymond was born 1175 in Spain of royal lineage, and was a brilliant student—he began teaching philosophy at 20 years of age. He taught pro bono, and earned a good reputation as a teacher. At age 30 he went on to earn his doctorate in civil and canon law. He was ordained a deacon and assisted the bishop of Barcelona, and was a great model to clergy with his zeal, prayerfulness, and concern for the poor.
He was nearly 50 years old when he gave up a position of great status to join the Dominican order in Barcelona—St. Dominic himself had just died eight months prior. Most of the other novices were much younger than he, but Raymond led them in obedience and humility.
The Dominicans used his learning well—he was tasked with writing a guide to help moral theologians and priests hearing confessions, the first of its kind. Raymond’s real passion was caring for people’s souls, however. He preached, taught, and heard confessions constantly, and showed people how to conquer sin in themselves. In a time of political turmoil, he effected a grassroots change in Spain with his pastoral care and catechesis.
In 1230, the pope called Raymond to Rome to help with various administrative duties. He also asked Raymond to serve as his confessor. One of Raymond’s tasks was to gather all of the scattered writings and decrees of the Church. His compilation was so well organized that it was frequently cited, even until 1917, when canon law was revised.
The pope named Raymond archbishop of a capital in Spain, but he was consumed with anxiety and fell ill, and so was excused. Raymond traveled back home to recover his health. As he got stronger, he resumed preaching and hearing confessions.
In 1238, he was elected superior of the Dominican order, and went about organizing and codifying the regulations of the community, which served the Dominicans for generations after. Under his direction, Dominican life honed its focus on solitude, studies, and pastoral ministry. In all of this, he remained humble and prayerful—he would even make his rounds visiting Dominican communities throughout Spain traveling by foot.
After two years, he resigned from this post and began to engage and counter Islamic forces in Spain. He encouraged St. Thomas Aquinas to produce arguments for the faith for unbelievers, and encouraged the study of Arabic and Hebrew in Dominican schools.
When he fell ill in his 100th year, two kings visited him to receive a final blessing, and several royal families attended the funeral. His tomb became known for miracles, and his relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
The engraving of books and a gavel and cross above stand as symbols of St. Raymond of Penafort on the exterior of the Eck Hall of Law. He is patron saint of lawyers and those who work with medical records.
St. Raymond of Penafort, you changed the world with your learning and the Church with your holiness—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Raymond of Penafort is in the public domain. Last accessed November 14, 2024 on Wikimedia Commons.
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