Scripture: 2Kgs 4:42-44 Eph 4:1-6 Jn 6:1-15

The Lectionary

• Is resource for Sunday Mass readings – based on a three year cycle
• Cycle A is dedicated to Matthew, Cycle B to Mark, Cycle C to Luke
• The Gospel of John is interspersed into the other three cycles during special times
• We are currently in Cycle B-Mark which was the first and is the shortest of the Gospels
•  In the next five weeks, the Lectionary places us in the Gospel of John.

Homily Series – Just Do This?

•  Your question – Just do what?
• At the Last Supper Jesus says – Do this in memory of me.
• What is this? Taking the bread and wine and blessing it – Yes! It’s the Lord’s lavish love!
• This could also be The way Jesus lived his life
• Both will be explored in this homily series

Fr. Greg Boyle and Lavish Love

• Jesuit Priest – founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles
• Worked with young people in gangs – addicted – imprisoned for trafficking drugs
• Fr. Greg adores Jesus whose face is Mercy
• His love for others is lavish, inclusive, without judgement

Fr. Greg’s Homeboy’s Story

• He was out with a few of his homeboys Jermaine and Juan giving witness talks
• He gave each of them money to bring a gift home – went to Build a Bear
• Juan’s Bear-when paw pressed said, “I love ya with all my heart, baby! Come here, give me a kiss.”
• Going through the TSA machine, everyone heard, “I love ya with all my heart!
• As he put it in the overhead compartment everyone heard, “Come here…give me a kiss!”

The Lord Loves Us Lavishly

• Does not measure out love with an eyedropper
• Wants only abundant joy for us
• That is the point of the story of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes
• There are lavish leftovers – not about scarcity

FR. G. SAYS, “When you have more than you need, you build a longer table rather than a higher wall.”

Just Do This!

• Let us love like Jesus loved!
• Let us see Jesus in the faces of those around us- especially in the faces of those who do not feel loved but rather judged and condemned!

Questions for Reflection

• What impacted you from today’s Readings and/or homily?
• How have you felt God’s lavish love in your life? Name ways’ others have loved you lavishly?
• Consider ways you have been able to love others in a lavish way. What was that like for you? What were the fruits of that love?

Live Connected

Consider having a “Love like Jesus Day” where you are intentional about Just Doing This!