17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR B)

1st Reading               2 Kings 4: 42-44

Psalm                          145: 10-11. 15-16. 17-18 (R. 16)

R://"You open our hand, Lord, and you satisfy us"

2nd Reading             Ephesians 4: 1-6

Gospel                        John 6: 1-15

DO NOT HOARD GRACE

Dear friends, today is the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time and the last Sunday of July. We thank God for how far he has brought us. 

I would like us to consider a few details from the first reading of today (2 Kings 4: 42-44). It is closely related to the Gospel passage in that they both deal with the multiplication of bread in a time of scarcity. The first reading narrates Elisha's multiplication of bread for the "hundreds." Let us look at three details in that beautiful and inspiring narrative. These three details work against human imagination. 

The first detail is that the first reading begins by mentioning "a man from Baal-Shalishah" (v. 42). The identity of the man is shrouded, but the only information we have about him is that he is from BAAL-SHALISHA. Let us uncover this. The general setting of the stories of Elijah and Elisha is a competition for the religious souls of the Israelite people. The name of the place the man came from is attached to "BAAL",which might reflect that this place was or had become the centre for the worship of Baal in the region of Ephraim. In fact, Shalisha is mentioned as one of the countries in the hills of Ephraim (1 Sam. 9: 4). The man "brought food from the first fruits to the man of God (thus, Elisha)" (v. 42). In that region where Baal is worshipped, someone comes with first fruit for the prophet. This signals that there were still a few faithful people who were focused on the true worship of their God. This is based on the fact that the unnamed man is doing what the law requires in Leviticus 23: 17-18, thus: 

"You shall bring from your dwelling places two loaves of bread to be waved, made of two-tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour, and they shall be baked with leaven, as first fruits to the Lord. 18 And you shall present with the bread seven lambs a year old without blemish, and one bull from the herd and two rams. They shall be a burnt offering to the Lord, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord"

The problem is that the man is presenting the first fruit to a prophet when the law categorically states that it should be given to a priest who will present it to the Lord (Lev. 23: 9-10). Could it be that priests were absent by then? Regardless of whatever runs through our minds, we can glimpse that Elijah, the master of Elisha, performed something that is a near priestly function in the battle with the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18: 20-40). Elijah performed a Sacrifice, and one of the duties of a priest is to do Sacrifice. This helps us to think that Elijah had a little priestly role to perform. Elisha, who received the power of Elijah, could have been said to have that priestly role for which the man from Baal-Shalishah gave him the first fruits. The first thing, therefore, that works against our imagination is that the man comes from a place where Baal worship was dominant. Grace and true faith sometimes come from unexpected sources.

The second detail that works against our imagination lies in the way Elisha reacted to the man's gifts. Remember that this event is happening during the "famine" period in Gilgal. Anyone would have expected Elisha to keep it for  himself because the law said it was for him, and considering the quantity given to him, it would not be enough for all. Rather, he said, "Give it to the people to eat" (v. 42). The man from Baal-Shalishah brought 20 barley loaves. Two things about this food indicate that there was famine. First, the very fact of 20 loaves means that it is not enough to feed 100 people. There will be 80 more to be added. Secondly, barley was the food of lower-income people (Ezek. 4: 12). These two show that there is scarcity and poverty. Elisha's action to distribute this meagre and poor food to the many people during famine shows us how his act works against individualism. How do we behave in the face of scarcity? Today, in the face of high cost of living, hoarding has consumed the hearts of men and the whole nation. No matter how small it is, share with others. By sharing the little and the seemingly poor resources with others, God provides the rest. Do your side, God will provide the rest. The grace received from the unexpected source is not for personal use. It is for all, and it multiplies when shared.

The third detail that kicks against our imagination is that "they ate and had left over" (v. 44). The man from Baal-Shalishah initially did not understand the possibility of sharing 20 loaves to 100 people, the little to many. Elisha repeated the words, thus, "Give it to the people to eat" (v. 42 & v. 43). Elisha trusted in the promise of God that "you will eat and have some left over." In fact, "the man set it before them, and when they had eaten, they had some left over, according to the Word of the Lord" (v. 44). They had left over because of the belief in the promise of God that when you share, "you will have some left over."

On this 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) and at the end of the month, the Lord calls us to three facts. The first is that sometimes Grace and assistance come to us from unexpected sources. Secondly, the assistance and grace you have received is not for you alone. It is meant to save a situation. Do not hoard it. Share it with others so that they can get liberated. People suffer from the inability to get what they need for livelihood because we have, and we do not give out. Finally, Grace will never finish if you share. You will make an impact in the lives of others. Their sustenance will be a legacy and testify that Grace does not get exhausted when shared. 

Pax et Bonum