Tag: miracles

“Do you still not understand?” | Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 8:14-21)

“And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?” They answered him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

Having only one loaf in the boat with them, the disciples realize they have forgotten to bring more bread. Jesus takes the opportunity to teach them something new in the wake of encountering the Pharisees who asked him for a sign. “Watch out,” he tells them, “guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” The disciples are unclear about what Jesus tries to convey, so he reminds them of the miracles they have just witnessed. How God works in our lives, how well he provides for us each day, is easily forgotten, and he prompts the disciples to call this to mind. “Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord,” we hear in the Gospel acclamation. As a way to love him, Jesus emphasizes trust in the Father, discernment, and avoidance of false teachings.

God, help me understand what the disciples also had trouble understanding: you ask me to trust you, you will provide for my needs, and you alone are the Lord, the Most High, the source of all truth. At the start of each day, the greatest uncertainties cause the greatest apprehension. Even as the disciples were literally in the boat with Jesus, they worried about how they would provide for themselves. Help me today recall the miracles writ large you have performed as well as the ones revealed in secret, as it were, through careful reflection. Another loaf of bread is not difficult to go out and get; trust in your mercy is a lesson learned over and over, the hard way. I believe, Lord; keep me in your truth.

From the responsorial psalm: “When I say, “My foot is slipping,” your mercy, O LORD, sustains me; When cares abound within me, your comfort gladdens my soul. Blessed the man you instruct, O Lord.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“I do not want to send them away hungry.” | Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 15:29-37)

Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?”

Just as Isaiah speaks of the LORD of hosts providing for his people from the mountain, Jesus goes up on a nearby mountain as people placed at his feet come to be cured. Matthew describes the scene: “The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.” The crowd had been with Jesus for three days, and still he has more to give them. “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd . . . for they have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” Here, Jesus’ compassion extends not only to those who came to be cured but also to those who brought them to his feet; in caring for others, they also come to Jesus for his sustenance.

“Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” the disciples ask. God, help me understand that how Jesus answers this reveals the nature of your being. In giving you thanks and dividing the seven loaves to feed the great crowds, Jesus reverses the natural order. Rather than breaking the seven loaves into smaller and smaller morsels, Jesus multiplies them and provides more—enough to fill seven baskets full. From your being, Lord, division doesn’t result in fractions but in unbroken abundance. In taking the loaves, breaking them, and giving thanks to you, Jesus provides more than enough for the crowd. In this deserted place of earthly exile, God, where could we ever get enough to satisfy? Give me the grace of compassion, trusting that in sharing the little I have to give, you will multiply with your divine power. Help me today find you in the true bread of life, at its source and summit in the Eucharist.

From the first reading: “On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Your faith has saved you.”| Wednesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 17:11-19)

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed.

In today’s Gospel, Luke relates the account of Jesus’ healing of the ten lepers. Although healed immediately, only one of the ten returns to Jesus to thank him and give glory to God. Luke tells us that he glorifies God in a loud voice and falls at the feet of Jesus in thanksgiving. As foreigners, and considered by Jews to be impure because of their religious practices and beliefs, Samaritans were looked on as inferior. In recognizing the miracle Jesus performed, the Samaritan gives witness to the importance of recognizing that God’s healing and unifying presence manifested in Jesus’ act of love and mercy.

Father in heaven, help me see with the eyes of faith beyond the physical limitations of sight. The leper Jesus healed came back to him glorifying you in a loud voice, an expression of his complete faith in you. Jesus said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” Give me the grace first to recognize your healing presence and also to be a witness to others in giving you thanks in your saving power.

From the responsorial psalm: “In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Christ, have mercy on us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaVQ82g2C4

Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 13:54-58)

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

As Jesus comes to his hometown of Nazareth, people who know him are astonished at his words and hearing of his miracles. Matthew tells us that the people take offense at Jesus, the carpenter’s son whose mother is Mary and whose brothers they know by name. Because of their lack of faith, Jesus did not perform many miracles in his native place. Although their disbelief seems extraordinary, Jesus is taken for granted and his identity as the beloved Son of God is unrecognized in the same way that we might take for granted the so-called ordinary people who are closest to us. How does their practice of virtue, their imitation of Christ, lead us to grow in relationship with God?

God, help me see in the spiritual struggles of those closest to me that you are calling them to holiness. Help me recognize my role in supporting them and helping nurture their relationship with you. “The way of perfection,” the Catechism says, “passes by way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle.” Give me the grace to see you as you enter into relationship with each other in the seeming ordinariness of their lives. Give me strength to hold on to my cross.

Lord, help me in my disbelief and ongoing conversion. From the Gospel acclamation, “The word of the Lord remains forever; this is the word that has been proclaimed to you.” Saint John Vianney, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.