2026年8月2日・年間第18主日 (A)

Isaiah 55.1-3・Psalms 145:8-9, 15-16, 17-18・Romans 8:35, 37-39・Matthew 14:13-21

To better understand the intention of the set of readings for today for our own consumption, I recommend to derive our point of departure from the verse we can find from our second reading today. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, says that “nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” (Romans 8.39.  The first reading confirms that this love of God is well expressed by His care and provision to our needs.

There is an invitation for each one to come and receive food and drink from God. We will be able to fully understand our deep connection with God in Christ Jesus when we most especially accept the invitation. God offers His covenant of love and mercy to all who truly seek. Understanding that what God offers us is for our good is our human expression of trust in Him. We trust in Him so we continue to seek his love and mercy, and accept the invitation. We will see that the ongoing relationship between God and us, His people, cannot be undermined and so nothing will be able to separate us from God`s love in Christ` Jesus. Not hardship, worries and death can break this ongoing relationship.  

We come together at Mass every Sunday or in a daily basis to praise God`s generosity and care. As we gather and praise together, we are all encouraged to further deepen our relationships with other too. We do not forget others too who are not able gather with us to praise God`s kindness and care. Exchange of gifts and sharing of gifts becomes the fruit of gathering and praising together, and the fruit of celebrating God`s kindness and mercy to us.

Let us have more of experience of accepting God`s kindness, God`s love and mercy. Let us have more experience of trusting, as well as hoping.

Jesus, in or Gospel today, feeds thousands of people from a small offering, with just five loaves and two fish, with few resources so to say.  Jesus` disciples had few concerns. But they were again brought to beautiful experience and deeper faith. How lovely is the story about Jesus who miraculously fed over five thousand people. The story is very inviting to always hope to experience more of God`s kindness in Christ Jesus and be always drawn to conversion towards true compassion and care.