“The Feast of the Kingdom” – Homily – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

What kind of kingdom does Jesus establish? In this homily for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr Michael reflects on the multiplication of the loaves and fishes by placing it between two striking scenes in Matthew’s Gospel: Herod’s banquet, which ends with the death of John the Baptist, and Jesus walking on the water, where He reveals His divine identity. The contrast is stark. Herod’s feast is for the powerful and elite, marked by seduction, judgement and the protection of worldly power. Jesus’ feast takes place in a deserted place among ordinary people who have followed Him because they hunger for His word. He feeds them not to increase His own power, but because He is moved by mercy. The twelve baskets left over point toward the fullness of God’s people and a Kingdom characterised by abundance, mercy and openness to all. This is the Kingdom Christians ask for every time they pray, “Thy Kingdom come”: that our families, parishes and communities might increasingly become places where God’s Word is received, mercy is practised and everyone can begin to taste the life of heaven.