‘The Lord is truly risen, alleluia’ (Invitatory antiphon)
On reading the Gospel for Mass today (Jn 6:1-15), I thought of Brother Kevin Crowley OFM, CAP Founder/ CEO of The Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People, Dublin. Br Kevin is interviewed frequently by the media. He primarily speaks of upholding the dignity and respect for each person who is welcomed daily at the Capuchin Centre. In addition to providing many services to people in need, meals are provided. During this time of Covid-19 when there are restrictions to using the regular dining area, the Capuchins have opened the Church to facilitate people in eating their meals. Br Kevin knows he cannot do the work alone and is a wonderful collaborator. He depends on his staff, volunteers and community members. Browsing the website, we read breakfast is provided at 7.00 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. each day for approx. 250-300 people. Wednesday is the busiest day and staff/ volunteers come in at 6.00 a.m. to prepare food parcels for 1400 people. Daily dinner is prepared and served to 500-600 people. This truly is a remarkable mission of love.
In today’s Gospel the priest reads at Mass about the miracle that Jesus worked in feeding the multitude. (Jn 6:1-15). This Scripture passage is included in the Four Gospels, St Matthew, St Mark, St Luke and St John. It might be worthwhile doing a Bible Search and read the different accounts.
It is possible to tune into Mass on a parish webcam and hear the Gospel being read.
This story is also taught in the Grow in Love programme and can be read in the New Testament of the Bible and in the e-book accessible on VERITAS website. This Gospel story is first introduced to the children in Grow in Love2, Senior Infants/P2.
Each time we go to Mass we know that the priest takes the bread, blesses it and breaks it and says, ‘Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you.’ Through the action of the Holy Spirit the bread is transformed into the Body of Christ. The priest also takes the wine and blesses it and says, ‘Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.’ The wine is transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit into the Blood of Christ. This transformation is called transubstantiation. This word ‘transubstantiation’ is introduced to pupils in Fifth class/P7. This Gospel story reminds us of what happens at Mass where the people assemble and receive ‘the Body of Christ’ to which they respond, ‘Amen’. Receiving Holy Communion nourishes a person’s prayer and life and helps to deepen one’s relationship with Jesus.
Resources to support the teaching of the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist are found also on VERITAS website.
Logon: www.veritas.ie
Email: trial@growinlove.ie
Password: growinlove
‘JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND’
The Gospel story tells of the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5000 people beside the Sea of Galilee. The crowds followed Jesus everywhere because they saw the great signs of his healing people who were sick. Jesus wanted to get away for a while from the crowd with his disciples. They went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and went to the mountainside. The crowds saw them and followed. Jesus saw them. He wanted to do something for them. He spoke to Philip, “where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ Philip immediately thought in monetary terms. It wasn’t what Jesus was thinking. He knew what he was about to do. He was testing Philip. Then Andrew noticed a boy with ‘five barley loaves and two fish’ but he thought it wasn’t enough for all the people. Yet he was very generous in giving over the little food he had. Immediately Jesus spoke and told the disciples to tell the people to sit down. Very simply then, ‘Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.’
When the people had finished eating their fill, Jesus told them to gather the leftover food and they filled twelve baskets. That meant there was even more food if they were to get hungry later on. The people recognised Jesus as the prophet ‘who is to come into the world’. Jesus noticed they ‘were about to take him by force to make him king’ so he went off to the mountain by himself.
Jesus was doing the work of God. He didn’t see himself as a king. Through the action of Jesus, God’s care and concern, love, generosity and sharing are shown. The disciples came to see that Jesus was doing as God asked and they were called to do likewise. Today Jesus calls disciples to continue doing God’s work in the world to build the kingdom of God.
ABOUT BROTHER KEVIN CROWLEY CAP.
God has called Brother Kevin, his staff and volunteers to help persons who are homeless and hungry. They say ‘yes’ to God each time they help persons in need. We pray in thanksgiving for Br Kevin and all who are associated with the Capuchin Centre. Pope Francis visited the Capuchin Centre in 2018 during his visit for ‘The World Meeting of Families.’
Perhaps it might be opportune to check out what Pope Francis had to say on his visit to the Capuchin Centre. You might also see some images of the visit.
‘I am not a saint: I just love people.’ Brother Kevin Crowley
Songs related to this theme are available on the VERITAS website as lyrics and video lyrics are: ‘The Last Supper’, ‘Eat This Bread’, ‘Ithigí an t-Arán Seo’, ’Miracle Song-The Loaves and the Fishes’, ‘Grace before/After Meals’, ‘We Come to You, Lord Jesus’, Céad Míle Fáilte Romhat’, ‘The Welcome Table’, ‘We Come To Your Feast’, ‘Christ Be Our Light’.
PRAY from Grow in Love/ I nGrá Dé
Grace before Meals
Bless us, O God, as we sit
together.
Bless the food we eat today.
Bless the hands that made the
food.
Bless us, O God. Amen.
Grace after Meals
Thank you, God, for the food
we have eaten.
Thank you, God for all our friends.
Thank you, God, for everything.
Thank you, God. Amen.
Altú roimh Bhia
Beannacht ó Dhia orainne ata ag suí
chun boird le chéile.
Beannacht ar an mbia a ithimid inniu.
Beannacht ar na lámha a d’ullmhaigh
dúinn é.
Beannacht a Dhia dílis orainn féin.
Áiméan.
Altú tar éis Bia
Go raibh maith agat, a Dhia, mar is tú a
thug bia dúinn.
Go raibh maith agat, a Dhia, mar is tú a
thug cairde dúinn.
Go raibh maith agat, a Dhia, mar is tú a
thug gach rud dúinn. dúinn.
Go raibh maith agat, a Dhia. Áiméan.
Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen
An Phaidir
Ár nAthair ata ar neamh,
Go naofar d-ainm,
Go dtaga do ríocht, go ndéantar do thoil ar an talamh
Mar a dhéantar ar neamh.
Ár naran laethúil tabhair dúinn inniu,
Agus maith dúinn ár bhfaicha,
Mar a mhaithimindne dár bhféachúna
féin,
Is ná lig sinn i gcathú,
Ach saor sinn ó olc. Áiméan.
From the song ‘Christ Be Our Light’
‘…Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
Shared until all are fed.’
‘Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to the people as they sat there, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)
Sr Anne Neylon