Homily for Monday, Week 18 of Ordinary Time

Homily for Monday
Week 18 of Ordinary Time

Aug. 7, 2022
Num 11: 4-15
Matt 14: 13-21
Provincial House, New Rochelle

Moses is exasperated by the constant moaning and complaining of the Israelites, no matter how much God intervenes for them.  He tells the Lord he’s had enuf:  “Kill me at once so that I need no longer face this distress” (Num 11:15).

The Israelites Gathering Manna

(James Tissot)

In a different context, Moses’ father-in-law advises him that the burden of leadership is indeed too much for him to handle alone.  He needs others to help him.  (Ex 18:13-27)

Jesus, too, needs help.  He needs someone to supply him with a little bit of bread and some fish as the raw ingredients of a miracle; and then he needs apostles to distribute the results.

Like Moses, like Jesus, we need one another’s help.  St. Paul urges us to carry one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2).  Hebrew wisdom says that one is fortunate if he has brotherly support (e.g., Prov 18:19).  Together we uphold each other, share our labors and our sorrows, lessen our stress, sustain our hope, do the work of Christ.