Blog Post 5/01/2022 Homily – Cycle C

Homily Cycle C 5/01/2022

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050122.cfm

 

For those of us who like the water, be it a river, a sea, a lake or an ocean, today’s Gospel scene is beautiful, powerful and evocative.  As dawn slowly moves the darkness into day the disciples are still reeling from the death of Jesus.  They are searching, so they turn to the familiar, fishing.

However, they are unsuccessful and the early morning rays of sun envelope an enigmatic figure on the sand; the smell of charcoal permeates the air as the smoke ascends.  Yet, the silhouette standing by the fire is still a mystery.

Part of today’s psalm captures the moment, “At nightfall, weeping enters in but with the dawn, rejoicing.”  From the Book of Revelation we hear, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessings.”

In today’s Gospel “… Jesus reveals Himself again to His disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.”

Jesus did so earlier in John’s Gospel when He fed the large crowd at the Sea of Tiberias with five barley loaves and two fish.  On that occasion He told them He was the bread of life, the bread of life that we are privileged to receive in the Eucharist.

The Gospel points out that these experienced fishermen caught nothing, then a stranger tells them to cast their nets over the right side.  They do and are overwhelmed by the size of their catch.  John [then] recognizes the stranger as Jesus and Peter jumps into the water and goes to shore.

They share a meal, how human, how holy.

At Sacred Heart Church in Camden, N.J. Fr. Leonard Carrieri’s bronze sculpture of the scene reminds people that Jesus shares with His disciples the “fruit of the earth work of human hands”.  In that sculpture Jesus looks very young, and when Fr. Carrieri was asked about it, he said, “After the Resurrection, we all look our best.” [Hungry, and You Fed Me, Cycle C, p.p. 103-106] 

Jesus’ miracle today reminds us His greatest miracle – is the Eucharist.  His Real Presence under the appearance of bread and wine.

“Within hours of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, World Central Kitchen was at work.  WCK volunteers are serving 35,000 hot meals a day feeding hungry families in 12 Ukrainian

cities as well as sites in Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia for refugees crossing those

borders to safety. 

They’ve set up kitchens & feeding stations in basements, train stations and shelters; they’ve mobilized a number of local restaurants & food truck operators in Poland to assist in the operation.  Chef Jose Andres started World Central Kitchen to assist in relief efforts in Haiti after the devastating 2010 earthquake.   Since Haiti, WCK has fed those left homeless and hungry in [many other disasters].

Chef Andres explains that “World Central Kitchen started with a simple idea at home with

my wife Patricia: when people are hungry, send in cooks.  Not tomorrow, today.

“… food is central to life & family all over the world….  Cooking & eating together is what makes us human.”  [Easter bread, Connections, May 2022] 

In the Gospel we meet Jesus’ basic teaching - share with the poor and needy.  There are many ways to nourish, the Eucharist is the ultimate.  A meal is beautiful, a good word is powerful; a disciple of Jesus Christ living the Gospel is Revolutionary.  Feeding our brothers and sisters in need is something each of us can find a way to do.

“Christ our Redeemer, mend our nets & guide our boats….  Help us to overcome our own hurts and anger, our sense of unworthiness and embarrassment, in order to be ministers of mercy to one another.”  [Table Talk Cycle C, p.91]

For a few minutes, in silence, think about what the enigmatic figure on the shore line is calling you to do?

May God Be Praised!