Aug 7 – Memorial for St. Sixtus, pope, martyr, and companions; St. Cajetan, priest
Sixtus (d. 258) was an adult convert to Christianity. In his papacy, he dealt with the controversy concerning Baptism by heretics. He believed that anyone who was baptised with a desire to be a Christian, even if the Baptism was performed by a heretic, was truly baptised into the faith, and that the validity of his faith was based on his own desire and actions, not the errors of the person who performed the sacrament. He was martyred with six deacons and sub-deacons.
Cajetan (1480-1547) was offered governing posts, but turned them down for a religious vocation. He was aware of the need for reformation in the Church and felt called to enter a religious community to serve the sick and poor. With three others, he formed the Congregation of Clerks Regular (Theatines) with the mission of fostering the Church’s mission and reviving the spirit and zeal of the clergy. He also founded a bank to help the poor and offer an alternative to usurers (loan sharks); it later became the Bank of Naples.
St. Cajetan was known for a gentle game he played with parishioners where he would bet prayers, rosaries or devotional candles on whether he would perform some service for them; he always did, and they always had to ‘pay’ by saying the prayers. He is a patron saint of the unemployed.
- Patron Saint Index
Num 11:4-15
Mt 14:13-21
“We have here only five loaves and two fishes”
Why is the fourth book in the bible called Numbers ?
This name is the English translation of the Greek word ‘arithmoi’. It details two censes, which Moses did on God’s command, to number the Israelite males from twenty years old and upward and able to fight war. Moses and Aaron counted 603,550.
God is faithful to his covenant. From a single individual Abraham, came Isaac, Jacob, and his 12 sons; the descendants indeed multiplied like the stars in heaven to be his chosen people. However, Numbers also carries a warning for us to be faithful. There are consequences if we fall into rebellion, unbelief and sin. Today’s first readings are a case in point. The Israelites craved for meat. They were sick of just eating manna and complained incessantly. God was angry. He did sent them quail as meat to eat. While the meat was between their teeth and before they could swallow, a severe plague came upon all those that complained and they died.
This story is so true. If we only seek material and human needs, we will never be satisfied for long. That is our human nature. We will always be hungry for something immediate. The gospel reading follows this theme. In Matthew 14, Jesus fed five thousand with five loaves and two fishes. All ate and were satisfied. In Matthew 15, Jesus again fed seven thousand with seven loaves and some fish. Later, these two separate events caused Jesus some consternation. He remarked that the people now flock to him because they want to be fed. They were looking to Jesus to meet their immediate needs.
Today’s readings teach me two things — firstly, that I am so much like the Jews in the gospel. Many times, I only pray because I have pressing needs — when I want something to turn out well. I realize I pray the most when driving to a client meeting and in need to close a sale! I will try and change that now.
The second lesson is that I used to think the manna, five loaves and two fish were references mainly to the Last Supper. As I reflect on the readings, I see another connection — it is about trust and sacrifice. Abraham trusted in God and his descendants multiplied. Likewise, the boy trusted Jesus and gave up his food (I am sure he was hungry too) and reaped a miracle. Mother Theresa famously said that success is not our concern. We only participate and do our best and trust in God for the outcome.
Brothers and sisters, let us now strive to give what little we have to do God’s calling and let him multiply the impact.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Andrew Sia)
Prayer: Lord, help me inspire others to seek you through their journey of faith.
Thanksgiving: Thank you Lord, your gift of this ministry to those who hunger and thirst.
OXYGEN 
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