August 7, 2017

Aug. 7

August 7, 2017:  Monday, 18th week, Ordinary Time

See 15 connections with today?
Legend below
Listen

For gospel
    Pope Francis to Asian Youth Day participants

    Warm greetings and prayerful best wishes to you all!  I pray that young people across Asia will listen more attentively to God’s call and respond with faith and courage.  Look to Mary as a model of missionary discipleship, speak to her as you would to your mother, and trust in her intercession, so you like her may improve the world and make a mark on history.

     Read
    • Nm 11:4b-15  Israelites:  “Would that we had meat!  We miss the food we ate in Egypt.  We're famished now and see nothing but this manna.”  When Moses heard the people's cry, angering the Lord, he was grieved.  Moses to Lord:  “Why do you treat me so badly?  Why are you so displeased with me that you burden me with these people?  Where can I get meat for them?  They're too heavy for me to carry.  If you're going to deal with me like this, just kill me now....”
    • Ps 81:12-17  "Sing with joy to God our help."  “My people didn't obey me, so I gave them up to their stubbornness and let them go their own way.  If they'd hear me and walk in my ways, I'd humble their enemies and fill them with honey from the rock....”
    • Mt 14:13-21  When Jesus saw the crowd, his heart was moved, and he cured their sick.  Disciples / Jesus:  "Let the crowds go buy food." / “You give them food.” / “We only have five loaves and two fish.” / “Bring them.”  He took, blessed, and broke them and gave them to the disciples to give out.   All 5,000 men, plus women and children, ate and were satisfied, and baskets were left over.
      • Creighton:  Today's readings remind us of the role of hospitality.  Hospitality...
        is about what you do with what you have:  the disciples saw the paltry resources, but Jesus saw God's great resources.   May we look to God and see the possibilities, not limitations.
          is acting with grace:  Jesus asked the crowd to get comfortable, blessed the loaves, and provided great conversation; the crowd didn't think of their own needs.  Jesus’ compassion and grace were contagious.  May we welcome others and encourage them to see the possibilities by acting with grace and compassion.
            builds community:  Jesus could have let the crowds go but knew the transformative power of breaking bread together:  stronger relationships, preparing us for service.  The Eucharist satisfies our deepest hunger and heals our brokenness.  How do I help gather guests at the table?
              can be hard:  Moses was frustrated, caring for many, who complained.  The journey can be difficult, but God meets us where we are.  Relationships grow stronger in the struggle.
                Miracle of the loaves and fishes/ Tissot
                is being receptive:  Be open to God's work in and through us.  Open up to his love and invite others to. 
                • One Bread, One Body:  "Making believers out of us":  The night before he died, Jesus took bread and wine and said "This is My body; this is My blood."  "How can he give us his flesh to eat?"  But remember he fed the Israelite nation for 40 years!  He also healed the sick, multiplied the loaves, walked on water, and rose from the dead.  How can we say God can't change bread and wine into his body and blood, even if it is beyond our understanding?
                • DailyScripture.net:  "Jesus blessed the loaves and fishes":  Many were drawn to Jesus because they were hungry for God.  Jesus' message and miracles stirred hope that God was acting to set people free and bless them.  Jesus never disappointed those who sought him.  When he and his disciples discovered the crowd gathered, he welcomed them, spoke God's word, and healed many.  Later, he commanded his disciples to feed them, likely to test their faith and give them a sign of God's intervention and favor.  He blessed the little they had, distributed it to all, and satisfied them; and the leftovers show God's generosity.  The feeding recalled the manna in the wilderness and foreshadowed the heavenly bread Jesus would pass on at the Last Supper.  Jesus claimed, as only God can, that he's the true bread of heaven that satisfies our deepest hunger. The miracle prefigures the Eucharist that sustains us on our journey.  God multiplies what we have so we may bring others his blessing.  The miracle shows God's generosity and kindness.  God gives more than we need so we'll have something to share with those who lack what they need.
                    Today's saints, from Universalis
                    • St. Cajetan, priest, champion of the poor and sick, church reformer, founded Theatines to preach, administer sacraments, celebrate liturgy: “Don't receive Christ in the Blessed Sacrament to use him as you judge best, but give yourself and let him receive you in this Sacrament, so that he ... may do to and through you what he wills” (letter to Elisabeth Porto).
                    Dress legend
                    • 'Wheat' and 'fish' pins:  "We remember the fish we ate in Egypt" (1st reading)"; 5 loaves, 2 fish (gospel); "I'd feed Israel with the best of wheat..." (psalm); 
                    • 'Honey' tie, 'rock' tie pin:  "... and fill them with honey from the rock" (psalm)
                    • 'Keyboard' suspenders:  "Sing with joy to God our help" (psalm)
                    • 'Heart' pin:  "I gave them up to the hardness of their hearts" (psalm); Jesus' heart was moved with pity (gospel)
                    • C3 Tech Conference T-shirt:  The conference starts today, with its /C3 Ignite/ track!
                    • 'Hand' tie pin:  "If my people would hear and follow me, I'd turn my hand against their foes" (psalm); Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter (gospel)
                    • 'Boat' tie bar:  Jesus withdrew in a boat (gospel)
                    • 'Feet' pin:  The crowds followed Jesus on foot (gospel)
                    • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
                    • 'Gun' pin (oops, forgot):  "If this is how you'll deal with me, kill me now" (1st reading)
                      Posted by at

                      No comments:

                      Post a Comment

                      Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)