Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes

The Holy Gospel for today [May 6, 2011 - First Friday of the Month]

John 6:1-15

1 After this, Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee (of Tiberias). 2A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.4 The Jewish feast of Passover was near. 5 When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?" 6 He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do.

7 Philip answered him, "Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little (bit)." 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, 9 "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" 10 Jesus said, "Have the people recline." Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. 12 When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted." 13 So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.

14 When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world." 15 Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

Reflection

“Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them …and also as much as the fish they wanted.” ~ v. 11

Sometimes, the truly amazing miracles are those that spring from the ordinary, like the boy’s generosity to share his meager fare of five barley loaves and two fishes. Little did he know that from his humble offering will spring food that would feed five thousand men not counting women and children. His generosity unleashed the power of divine generosity which is super abundant and prodigal. Let us make miracles in our time by our selfless act of generosity which open the floodgates of divine love. ~ Claretian Publications, slightly adapted

“Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” ~ St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:6

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarro-abel.blogspot.com/).

Jesus Appears to his Disciples again

The Sunday Gospel [May 1, 2011 - Divine Mercy Sunday]

John 20:19-31

Jesus Appears to his Disciples again

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." 28 Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Reflection

“Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” ~ Jesus in v. 29b

Today is a day of double blessing. Not only do we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday but we also honor Pope John Paul II, who will be beatified today in Rome. In honor of this event, we want to offer some excerpts from John Paul’s first homily as Pope, given on the day of his inauguration, October 22, 1978. May his words, his spirit, and his love for Jesus continue to inspire all of us!

“On this day and in this place these same words must again be uttered and listened to: ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God’” (Matthew 16:16).

“Yes, Brothers and sons and daughters, these words first of all. Their content reveals to our eyes the mystery of the living God. … He who is infinite, inscrutable, ineffable, has come close to us in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary in the stable at Bethlehem.

“All of you who are still seeking God, all of you who already have the inestimable good fortune to believe and also you are tormented by doubt: Please listen once again, today in this sacred place, to the words uttered by Simon Peter. . . .

“Brothers and sisters do not be afraid to welcome Christ and accept his power. . . . Open wide the doors for Christ. . . . Christ knows what is in man. He alone knows it. So often today man does not know what is within him, in the depths of his mind and heart. So often he is uncertain about the meaning of his life on this earth. He is assailed by doubt, a doubt which turns into despair. We ask you therefore, we beg you with humility, let Christ speak to man. He alone has words of life, of eternal life..”

“Thank you, Lord, for the life of Blessed Pope John Paul II! As we celebrate your mercy today, fill us with hope in you. Help us all to ‘Be not afraid!’” Amen.

Credits: the WORD among us

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarro-abel.blogspot.com/).

Saving a Dying Sinner

[Diary 1035]

+ This evening, a certain young man was dying; he was suffering terribly. For his intention, I began to say the chaplet which the Lord had taught me. I said it all, but the agony continued. I wanted to start the Litany of the Saints, but suddenly I heard the words, Say the chaplet. I understood that the soul needed the special help of prayers and great mercy. And so I locked myself in my room and fell prostrate before God and begged for mercy upon that soul. Then I felt the great majesty of God and His great justice. I trembled with fear, but did not stop begging the Lord's mercy for that soul. Then I took the cross off my breast, the crucifix I had received when making my vows, [180] and I put it on the chest of the dying man and said to the Lord, "Jesus, look on this soul with the same love with which You looked on my holocaust on the day of my perpetual vows, and by the power of the promise which You made to me in respect to the dying and those who would invoke Your mercy on them, [grant this man the grace of a happy death]." His suffering then ceased, and he died peacefully. Oh, how much we should pray for the dying! Let us take advantage of mercy while there is still time for mercy. 

[Diary 1036]

+ I realize more and more how much every soul needs God's mercy throughout life and particularly at the hour of death. This chaplet mitigates God's anger, as He himself told me.

Source: DIARY, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.  Stockbridge, MA 01263.  All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Note: If you like my post then consider buying the Book "Divine Mercy in my Soul" from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception website. The owner of this blog have no other intention but to spread and proclaim the "Divine Mercy".

The Empty Tomb

The Sunday Gospel [April 24, 2011 - Easter Sunday]

John 20:1-9

1On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. 2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” 3So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. 4They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; 5he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. 6When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, 7and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. 8Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. 9For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

Reflection

“Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.” ~ v. 3

On this great feast of the Resurrection, let’s take a look at the first man to enter the empty tomb. Peter must have come there with many different feelings swirling in his heart – feelings ranging from hope that Jesus was alive again to guilt at having denied him.

Seeing those linens folded neatly, Peter probably recalled his own actions that brought Jesus to such end. “First I bragged about my undying loyalty to him, and then I betrayed him. If he really has been raised up, I have to face him. Jesus knows that I am a coward and a traitor. Will he even take me back?”

But while Peter’s view was so negative, Jesus had a different approach. He looked inside Peter’s heart and saw the love as well as the weakness. He knew that Peter had denied him only out of fear.

Imagine the first conversation between Peter and the risen Lord. “Jesus, why do you put up with me? I failed you!” “Peter, that’s all in the past. I know your heart, and I know your love. The Spirit is coming, and he will strengthen you beyond what you can imagine. So be at peace. I want you to feed my sheep.”

Surely we all have more than a little bit of Peter in us! Like him, we all have made boastful statements about our lives or about our faith at one time or another. And we all have been embarrassed when reality confronted these claims.

So what should we do this Easter? First, let’s give up all of our negative views about ourselves. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Second let’s listen to Jesus as he tells us that he knows how much we love him. Let’s allow these words to move us out into the world to feed his sheep. May we all have a blessed Easter.

“All praise to you, Lord Jesus! You have conquered sin and death. You have lifted me up to be with you forever!” Amen.

Credits: the WORD among us, April 2011

“Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are Easter people and Hallelujah is our song.” ~ Pope John Paul II

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarro-abel.blogspot.com/).

The Crown of Thorns

[Diary, 349-350]

" In the morning, during meditation, I felt a painful thorn in the left side of my head. The suffering continued all day. I meditated continually about how Jesus had been able to endure the pain of so many thorns which made up His crown. I joined my suffering to the sufferings of Jesus and offered it for sinners. At four o'clock when I came for adoration, I saw one of our wards offending God greatly by sins of impure thoughts. I also saw a certain person who was the cause of her sin. My soul was pierced with fear, and I asked God, for the sake of Jesus' pain, to snatch her from this terrible misery.

Jesus answered that He would grant her that favor, not for her sake, but for the sake of my request. Now I understood how much we ought to pray for sinners, and especially for our wards.

Our life is truly apostolic; I cannot imagine a religious living in one of our houses; that is, in our Community, and not having an apostolic spirit. Zeal for the salvation of souls should burn in our hearts."


Source: DIARY, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.  Stockbridge, MA 01263.  All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Note: If you like my post then consider buying the Book "Divine Mercy in my Soul" from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception website. The owner of this blog have no other intention but to spread and proclaim the "Divine Mercy".

Jesus Enters Jerusalem [Palm Sunday]

The Sunday Gospel [April 17, 2011]

Matthew 26:14-27

Jesus enters Jerusalem

1 When they drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage 2 on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. 3 Untie them and bring them here to me. 3 And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, 'The master has need of them.' Then he will send them at once." 4 This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: 5 "Say to daughter Zion, 'Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'" 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them. 7 They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them. 8 The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. 9 The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest." 10 And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, "Who is this?" 11 And the crowds replied, "This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee."

Reflection

[They took out palm branches and went out to meet Him, and cried out …] “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” ~ v. 9

Today marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most significant week of the year. Everything that Jesus said and did while on earth was leading up to this week, to the moment of the cross, the climax of God’s great plan for humanity. So what better way to spend this week than to walk with Jesus through his passion and death?

Try to imagine yourself in Jerusalem two thousand years ago. Watch and celebrate as Jesus enters Jerusalem under showers of praise. Watch as he is anointed at Bethany and shares a final meal with his friends. Watch as the Son of Man, your Savior, is betrayed … seized … and brought to trial. See him falsely accused … beaten … crowned with thorns … and led up a hill to be crucified. Keep watch as the veil in the Temple tears … the rocks split … the graves open … and the dead rise. Take it all in, and let it change your heart.

As this week unfolds, take time to thank and praise Jesus for the cross. Offer your life to him in deep gratitude. Take time every day to solidify your faith in what Jesus has done for you. He has overcome the devil, sin, and death itself. He has completely forgiven you. All week long, try to respond to the stirring of the Holy Spirit by repeating with Jesus: “Not as you will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).

“Lord Jesus, thank you for enduring the cross. Help me to remain by your side this week, watching you and learning from you.” Amen.

Credits: the WORD among us, excerpts

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarro-abel.blogspot.com/).

Perseverance in Prayer

[Diary 872]

January 7. During the Holy Hour, the Lord allowed me to taste His Passion. I shared in the bitterness of the suffering that filled His soul to overflowing. Jesus gave me to understand how a soul should be faithful to prayer despite torments, dryness and temptations; because oftentimes the realization of God's great plans depends mainly on such prayer. If we do not persevere in such prayer, we frustrate what the Lord wanted to do through us or within us. Let every soul remember these words: "And being in anguish, He prayed longer." I always prolong such prayer as much as is in my power and in conformity with my duty.


Source: DIARY, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.  Stockbridge, MA 01263.  All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Note: If you like my post then consider buying the Book "Divine Mercy in my Soul" from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception website. The owner of this blog have no other intention but to spread and proclaim the "Divine Mercy".