18th Week in Ordinary Time (B) : Monday 5th August 2024

In the first reading, we hear Hananiah prophesy that the Babylonians would be driven out of Judah in two years’ time. He even removes the yoke from Jeremiah’s neck and breaks it to illustrate how the Babylonians’ yoke over Judah would be broken. But later, Jeremiah receives word from the Lord to expose Hananiah’s false prophecy. Instead of being free, Judah would suffer a harsher rule under the Babylonians, and within a year, Hananiah would die. Jeremiah’s prophecy comes true.

On seeing the crowd, Jesus has compassion on them. At the end of the day, when the disciples suggest that Jesus send the people away, Jesus asks them to feed the people instead. But the disciples object, saying the amount of food they have will not suffice to feed the crowd. Jesus hears their objections but listens to the crowds. He multiplies the little food they have and feeds the people.

How closely do we listen and discern God’s Word and be obedient to it? The psalm is filled with phrases to remind us of this: “Keep me from the way of error…”, “Do not take the word of truth from my mouth”, telling us to always keep God’s Word and be obedient to it – so that we will not be led into error or tread along the false path by the “commercial” voices around us.

Lord, You are the Way, the Truth and the Life. When faced with distractions, let my first focus be upon You.