This morning I was asked to substitute for the lector who was supposed to do the First Reading. I gladly do this when asked because serving in this way is one of my favorite gifts to my parish. I have been a reader for thirty years, I guess, and I have learned to read well. There is something about the words of Scripture that come alive for me as I read them. And I believe they come alive for the people who are hearing the words also. It is a gift that God has given me; and that I happily share with others.
Our first reading was from Isaiah (Is 55:1-3). I absolutely love the Prophet Isaiah... always have. It is always a joy to bring his words to life.
Today, Isaiah brings us the Lord's words of comfort to us hungry people. It connects so well with the Gospel reading where Jesus feeds the multitude who have been listening to His Words. Isaiah brings us the Lord's invitation to the feast:
"All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!"All you who are thirsty,
You who have no money,
come, receive grain and eat;
Come, without paying and without cost,
drink wine and milk!..."
Can't you hear the Lord's compassion and in those words. "Come..." He beckons to us as He reaches out to us over the centuries... He knows we hunger and thirst, not only for earthly food but for the Food only He can provide.
In the Gospel, Matthew describes the empathy that Jesus feels as He looks over the crowd that the disciples wanted to send away to get their own food. Even though Jesus had originally wanted to be alone in a deserted place to pray, He found the crowd waiting for him. Matthew says,
"...his heart was moved with pity for them..."
Jesus did not want to send them away because He realized that they were hungry for His Word... for the hope He gave them... for the healing He brought them...
The miracle occurred in such a beautiful and simple way... Jesus took those few loaves and fishes, broke the bread and blessed them and had his disciples distribute them among the people. Such a reminder of our own Eucharist... Bread blessed and broken... so that our hunger can also be satisfied.
I was particularly moved this morning as I read Isaiah's words and am grateful to have been asked to do this reading on this day.
Can't you hear the Lord's compassion and in those words. "Come..." He beckons to us as He reaches out to us over the centuries... He knows we hunger and thirst, not only for earthly food but for the Food only He can provide.
In the Gospel, Matthew describes the empathy that Jesus feels as He looks over the crowd that the disciples wanted to send away to get their own food. Even though Jesus had originally wanted to be alone in a deserted place to pray, He found the crowd waiting for him. Matthew says,
"...his heart was moved with pity for them..."
Jesus did not want to send them away because He realized that they were hungry for His Word... for the hope He gave them... for the healing He brought them...
The miracle occurred in such a beautiful and simple way... Jesus took those few loaves and fishes, broke the bread and blessed them and had his disciples distribute them among the people. Such a reminder of our own Eucharist... Bread blessed and broken... so that our hunger can also be satisfied.
I was particularly moved this morning as I read Isaiah's words and am grateful to have been asked to do this reading on this day.
