LITURGY IN FOCUS

CALL TO WORSHIP & CENTERING PRAYERS

Call to worship

As Jesus fed the crowds, he reminded us that we are called to satisfy the many hungers of our world, to offer all we have with love and generosity and not expecting any miracles for ourselves.

  • To the point: What answer did Philip need to give Jesus to pass the test? When Jesus asks about where to buy food to satisfy the hunger of the large crowd, he is not thinking about a store and purchases. He is really asking a question about who he is. Jesus knows full well that the “where” of the food will be himself. The superabundance of food Jesus provides from so little is a sign of the fullness of life — his very self — Jesus gives. So, Philip’s answer?  “Give them yourself.”
  • Connecting the Gospel (John 6: 1-15) to the first reading: Elisha begins with more barley loaves (20) and satisfies the hunger of a smaller crowd (100 people) with “some left over.” Jesus begins with only a few barley loaves (five) and satisfies the hunger of a much larger crowd (5,000) with “12 wicker baskets” left over.
  • Connecting the Gospel to our experience: We Americans enter supermarkets and are faced with a super abundance of food that we take for granted. This gospel reminds us that it is not quantity that satisfies but who gives us the food.

Centering prayers

The Gospel

(John 6: 1-15)

Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.
The Jewish feast of Passover was near.

The large crowd was coming to him.
They were hungry for his words and to get some food.
There was a boy with five loaves and two fish.
The mysterious and plentiful power of God,
who uses what we have.
They ate more than their fill,
and so much was left over.
Lord, please take the gifts of our lives,
bless them, grow them, make them holy.
Let us use them to care for this needy world.

The First Reading

(2 Kings 4: 42-44)

They shall eat and there shall be some left over.

Elisha fed a crowd with a few loaves.
And some was left over.
What other gifts do you give, Lord?
There’s breathing in and breathing out.
And the moon at night
and the sun in the day.

Don’t forget gravity,
roses, and … bugs!

Could there ever be a better gift than friendship?
Ultimate friend, you fill our lives with miracles.
Please open our miraculous eyes
to help us to see your gifts and yourself.

The Second Reading

(Ephesians 4: 1-6)

One body, one Spirit.
On the mountain, with loaves and fishes,
you made all the people who came to you
one in the sharing of the food.
Now, through our bread and wine,
which are your body and blood,
come into us, please.
Make us one in the sharing of your life.

Copyright © 2021, Anne M. Osdieck

Music for reflection