August 2, 2026
Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Isaiah 55:1-3 | Romans 8:35, 37-39 | Matthew 14:13-21
When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. — Matthew 14:13-14
There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many? — John 6:9
Jesus is grieved, tired, and looking to be alone; he has just heard of John the Baptist’s death. Seeking a deserted place, he finds instead crowds, yet his heart is moved with pity. These crowds are also grieved, tired and hungry, in need of healing. Jesus invites them into his solitude to sup with God. No special recipe, only simple nurturing helped along by a boy who entered that space by sharing five barley loaves and two small fish.
This scene takes me back to an Easter Retreat at the community center in El Cedro, El Salvador, where I serve. The retreat was held for 50 kindergarten children.
There were plenty of activities, such as making clay figures of the crucified Christ, washing of feet, singing and games, the Via Crucis and a Passion play, to name a few. It was a watershed moment for me to witness that before holy water or any religious instruction ever touched these little ones, they had an innate knowledge of their spiritual belonging, knowing the caress of God at the depths of their being.
This was most noticeable during our times of prayer, especially prayer in silence, which for most of the children was the weightless silence of Psalm 139:15-16: “My substance was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body, all the days for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
During prayer, one could see an innocent light in the kindergarteners that revealed a colorful interior world — no divisions, past or present, simply alive with each breath. Surely, children at this age are still closer to the other side, to their preexistence, and they do not need so many words, or even to pray with words; nor do they relate prayer to eloquent phrases. Silence is enough. So, now, I’ll be silent and let the children, through the pictures below, bring us into Jesus’ healing rest.
Rick Dixon joined Maryknoll Lay Missioners in 2011. After serving for a decade in El Salvador, he accompanied migrants and refugees at the Mexico-U.S. border. He returned last year to El Salvador, where he now serves in El Cedro and La Esperanza, promoting family literacy, education, and community organizing.
To read other Scripture reflections published by the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, click here.
Featured image: Kindergarten students take part in an Easter retreat in El Cedro. Activities included prayer and silence. (Courtesy of Rick Dixon/El Salvador)
