Reflection for Sunday – August 2, 2026
Readings: Isaiah 55:1-3; Romans 8: 35, 37; Matthew 14:13-21
Preacher: Sr. Sheila Stevenson, RSM
What a wonderful journey we take into our readings this weekend! The Isaiah verses, the Psalm response and the Gospel are thematic in Jesus’ wonderful miracle of abundance and generosity, and of His immense compassion and radical hospitality toward all.
The feeding of the 5,000, or likely many more because women and children were not included in the count, is the only miracle that occurs in all four Gospels indicating the importance of it in the early Church. It is also a foreshadowing of the Eucharistic table to come at the Last Supper.
Reflecting on the Gospel, we see Jesus saddened and grieving the death of his close friend and relative, John the Baptist, who had recently been beheaded. Jesus receives word of this and feels the pain of loss and the need to be alone with his grief. We too may have had this same type of experience just needing some time alone.
Heading to a deserted place with his disciples Jesus instead is met with a large crowd waiting and hoping to hear Him speak to them and cure those in need. “His heart was moved with pity for them and He cured their sick.” This is a story of compassion; a heart moved despite Jesus’ own pain and loss. It is also a story of the disciples’ compassion for the crowds as it got later in the day. Compassion is defined as “to suffer” with another; and includes being aware of another’s suffering, connecting on a human level to their pain and taking tangible steps to ease their suffering.
This is a story of hospitality. The disciples see a problem and their solution is to encourage the people to go and find food in the towns nearby before it gets dark. Jesus, always the Master of Compassion and Hospitality sees another way; seat the people and use what little food is brought forth from those gathered.
This is a story of abundance. Our God is a generous God and out of compassion and hospitality comes the miracle of abundance; food for all and even more than was needed. And let us not forget the generosity of the one who stepped forward to offer the initial loaves and fishes. So much generosity and the blessing of God, that led to this miracle of abundance.
And this is a story foreshadowing the Eucharist which is to come at the Last Supper. The bread is taken, blessed, broken, shared and out of God’s abundance all are filled.
As a Sister of Mercy, I am a member of a religious community whose charism is hospitality and compassion. A charism is a gift given by God to an individual or group for the good of the Church and world. Our foundress, Catherine McAuley, had several maxims regarding our charism that resonate with our Gospel today. I quote here:
- “We can never say it is enough.” She emphasized that hospitality is not just about physical accommodation, but about offering grace, a listening ear and oneself.
- “It is better to receive a hundred imposters than to suffer one really distressed person to be sent away empty.” I often think of this maxim when approached by people looking for money or food on the streets or in a parking lot. What would Catherine do? What would Jesus do?
- “Our charity is to be cordial. Now cordial signifies something that renews, invigorates and warms. In essence, hospitality mirrors God’s welcoming, cordial, tender care.”
- “There are three things the poor prize more highly than gold though they cost the donor nothing. Among these are the kind word, the gentle, compassionate look and the patient hearing of their sorrows.”
Can we see Catherine McAuley’s maxims of the mid-1800s taken in part right from the Gospel we encounter today? Jesus puts a new spin on hospitality, redefining it as radical inclusion, self-giving love and humble service. He does not try to change people but offers them a space, an example, and a way of changing. Catherine does the same as she creates her band of women later to become the Sisters of Mercy.
In our suffering world today, there are so many who need God’s radical hospitality, mercy and compassion. We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ. Jesus has given us the example; now we go forward and do likewise. It is God’s call, how will I answer? What holds me back from answering? Let us pray for ourselves and one another that we are faithful in doing our part for those who suffer in our world today. Let us bring the face of God to them with abundant love and the embrace of Gospel hospitality.
- Reflection for Sunday – August 2, 2026 - July 29, 2026
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