Readings and meditation on the Word of God on the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 2, 2026

Delivered by Christine Gunawan from the Parish of Saint Joseph Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Pontianak, Indonesia. Isaiah 55: 1-3; Rs psalm 145: 8-9.15-16.17-18; Romans 8: 35.37-39; Matthew 14: 13-21.OUR DUTY IS TO SHARE The theme for our meditation on this 18thSunday in Ordinary Time is: Our Duty is to Share. There was a 12-year-old boywho was given an apple brought by his parents from abroad. The mother asked himto give some of it to his 9 years old sister. Before doing that, he first askedhis mother as he said: "Mommy, should I share it with her, or give it toher?" The mother was somehow confused by her son's question. So the son explained himself. He said that if he wouldshare the apple he must divide it into two, either the same sizes for himselfand his younger sister or not. Meanwhile, if he would give that apple, it wouldthat there was a possibility to give it all, or not give it at all. The motherwas so proud of her boy's way of thinking. Together with the mother, we all canappreciate and agree with the view of that boy. We all believe that it is truly our responsibility orduty to share the gifts that we have. God has the power and ability to give uswhat is appropriate and sufficient to each of our circumstance and vocation. Forour part, we are not supposed to bother ourselves in giving and try our hardestway to give and satisfy others, for we need only enough kindness and generosityto share what we already have by the grace of God. This kind of conviction is very important for us thefollowers of Christ and the mission we intend to do. The Lord’s gift is enoughfor every one to be able to live out one’s life in this world. Saint Paul saysin his letter to the Romans that this gift manifests its fulness in the love ofChrist for us. The book of the prophet Isaiah in the first reading todayconfirms the same thing, namely the gift of eternal covenant between God and usis realized in a true love of Jesus Christ, which had been promised long ago asthe Lord already did for David. By realizing that we have these gifts, we should beconfident and willing to share them to our neighbors. Even though perhaps weonly have a very little quantity and quality like those of five loaves and twofish, as the Gospel reading of  todaynarates, we are certainly willing to share them. Whether the little we share issufficient both for ourselves and others, it is by the power of God’s love thatwe are willing to give. It is the work of God who provides and gives. God’swill and power make our little and hard work possible. God is pleased to multiply it when we have the spiritof love, joy, and willingness to share. With or without our expectation, themiracles of God happen. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... Almighty and powerful God, strengthen ourzeal to be active and glad in sharing our gifts to our neighbours, and for allthese, may we be always thankful. Our Father who art in heaven ... In the nameof the Father ...