The first reading and the gospel have a common theme, the scarcity of resources at hand to satisfy the hunger of a large crowd. In the first reading, a man came bringing to Elisha, twenty barley loaves of bread made from first fruit and fresh grain and Elisha commanded the man to give it to the people to eat. The servant objected saying “how can I set this before a hundred people”. Elisha insisted, “Give it to the people to eat. For thus says he Lord, they shall eat and there shall be left over's. When they had eaten, there was left over's as the Lord had said.” In the Gospel, Jesus asked the disciple, “Where can we buy enough food for the people to eat”. Philip replied, just like the servant in the first reading responded with negative attitude, “Two hundred days wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little”. John in this passage tells us that Jesus said this to test him, because He Himself knew what he was going to do.

In today’s first reading Prophet Jeremiah was very hard on the leaders, who led his people astray, during his prophecy. Thus, these leaders instead of caring and looking after the people, they exploited and scatter them especially with their actions and inactions. They were more about themselves than the flock that has been entrusted to them. This is why the prophet cries “Woe to the shepherd who mislead and scattered the flock of My pasture” says the Lord. Therefore, thus says the Lord, “the God of Israel, against the shepherds who shepherd My people; you have scattered and driven them away. You have not cared for them, but I will take care to punish your evil deeds.”

In the first reading, God invites Amos to go and prophesy to His chosen people. Amos was never a prophet or known to belong to the lineage of prophets. He was only a shepherd tending his sheep and a wood cutter, but from this humble job God called him to serve His people as a prophet. In the same way, God can call any of us from whatever our duty may be to serve as a prophet or in any other capacity among the people of God. It may also happen, that in our Christian journey, we might be called upon to accept challenges that we feel ill-equipped to take on. In whichever situation, God is always there to support us in any responsibility He calls us to do.

According to the Living Liturgy 2021 “Each reading this Sunday is about those who were singed by failure and vulnerability, but who continue to be a guiding light to their communities. Ezekiel is sent by God to the people named as rebels, who are obstinate, defiant and deaf to God’s word. Paul in the second reading finds himself facing opposition both from those who regard themselves as super apostles and who tout around the word of God for their own reputation, and from the members of the Corinthian church who have fallen under their influence. And Jesus in the Gospel is found to be unacceptable in his own hometown of Nazareth.” In the first reading from the Prophecy of Ezekiel, the Lord sent him to go and deliver His message to His people whether they accept it or not, but let that word be spoken to them. The Lord knows they are hard and obstinate of heart, but still He wants His words to be spoken to them by His prophet Ezekiel. This is a responsibility to every guardian, teacher and parents who have been entrusted with people to look after. The truth must be spoken whether accepted or not by those you look after.