Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
Lectionary: 177
Lectionary: 177
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.
The Lord GOD will wipe away
the tears from all faces;
The reproach of his people he will remove
from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.
On that day it will be said:
“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.
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.
The Lord GOD will wipe away
the tears from all faces;
The reproach of his people he will remove
from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.
On that day it will be said:
“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.
Responsorial
PsalmPS
23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6
R.
(6cd) I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
GospelMT 15:29-37
At
that time:
Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee,
went up on the mountain, and sat down there.
Great crowds came to him,
having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute,
and many others.
They placed them at his feet, and he cured them.
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.
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?”
Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”
“Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.”
He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.
Then he took the seven loaves and the fish,
gave thanks, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied.
They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.
Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee,
went up on the mountain, and sat down there.
Great crowds came to him,
having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute,
and many others.
They placed them at his feet, and he cured them.
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.
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?”
Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”
“Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.”
He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.
Then he took the seven loaves and the fish,
gave thanks, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied.
They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.
Meditation: "This
is the LORD; we have waited for him"
What
can satisfy the deepest hunger and longing of the human heart? Isaiah
prophesied that God would provide a heavenly banquet for all peoples and would
destroy death once and for all (Isaiah 25:6-8). Jesus came to fulfill that
promise. Jesus' miracles are both a sign of God’s kingdom and a demonstration
of God’s power. They also show the magnitude of God’s mercy.
When
the disciples were confronted by Jesus with the task of feeding four thousand
people many miles away from any source of food, they exclaimed: Where
in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them? The
Israelites were confronted with the same dilemma when they fled Egypt and found
themselves in a barren wilderness. Like the miraculous provision of manna in
the wilderness, Jesus, himself provides bread in abundance for the hungry crowd
who came out into the desert to seek him. The gospel records that all were
satisfied and they took up what was leftover.
In
the multiplication of the loaves and fishes we see a sign and a symbol of what
God always does. God knows our needs and he cares. When God gives, he gives in
abundance. The gospel account records that the leftovers from the miraculous
meal was more than seven times the amount they began with. Seven is a symbol of
completion and wholeness. When God gives, he gives until we are satisfied. When
God works for his people he gives abundantly – more than we could deserve and
more than we need. He nourishes us with his life-giving word and with the bread
of heaven. In the kingdom of heaven God will feast us at his banquet table. Are
you satisfied with God's provision for you? And do you long with expectant hope
for the coming of his kingdom in all its fulness?
Lord
Jesus, you alone can satisfy the longing and hunger in our hearts. May I thirst
for your kingdom and find joy in your presence. Give me the true bread of
heaven and nourish me with your life-giving word."
 Jesus is the Bread of Life |
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Wednesday of the
First Week of Advent
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Father John Doyle,
LC
Matthew 15:29-37
At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee,
went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having
with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They
placed them at his feet, and he cured them. 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. 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?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”
“Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on
the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke
the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the
crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left
over–seven baskets full.
Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I now turn confidently to you,
who are my friend and savior. You are always watching over me and protecting
me, whether I’m mindful of you or not. Thank you. I love you, and I’m
grateful for these moments to refresh myself in your presence.
Petition: My Jesus, give me an unshakeable confidence
in your unconditional love.
1. Jesus on the Mountain: Jesus is the focal point of history and of
all human aspirations. Even when he goes to out-of-the-way places, as is the
case in this Gospel passage, he is sought after. He strides by the Sea of
Galilee and scales up the mountain, and all humanity seeks him out. He
doesn’t interrogate them about their past or condemn them for their sins. He
simply gives to each what he or she needs: to the blind, sight; to the mute,
the gift of speech; to the deaf, hearing. Imagine for a moment this poor mass
of humanity around the Master. Place yourself with them. Your turn comes, and
suddenly it is as if the crowd disappears and you are alone with Jesus. He
looks into your eyes with loving concern and asks what you are seeking––even
though he already knows it. My Jesus, it is you that I seek. Heal me, and do
not let any sin separate me from you today.
2. “They Have Nothing to Eat.” Love is not always very practical. Jesus’
heart is moved with compassion for all those who have sought him out. He
knows the sacrifices that they have made in searching him out, and he is not
going to leave them disappointed. The disciples saw only the practical
problem, but in his charity towards his neighbor, Jesus all but ignores it.
What can I learn from Christ’s attitude? Will I ever be let down or not be
satisfied if I seek Christ with a sincere heart?
3. The Bread of Life: The miracle that Jesus works in multiplying
the loaves is a prelude to an even greater miracle he plans to bring about.
Jesus knows the longings of our hearts, and he knows that material food has
its limits, even when it is abundant. St Augustine states, “You made us for
yourself, Oh Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” How
can I not trust that Jesus will always provide for what I truly need, after
his lowering himself to appear as bread so that we can feed on him and be
satisfied?
Conversation with Christ:My Jesus, I have a very wayward heart. I
know that you are the only one who can fulfill the longing of my soul; yet so
often I put my confidence in the fleeting things of this world instead.
Reassure my heart that you will always provide for me if I put all my trust
in you. Keep me going up the mountain towards your heavenly Kingdom, where
you will be all in all.
Resolution: I will pause sometime during the
day––perhaps before lunch––and make a spiritual communion by inviting Christ
into my heart. I will thank him for the gift of himself in the blessed
Eucharist and renew my confidence in him.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, MATTHEW 15:29-37
(Isaiah 25:6-10a; Psalm 23)
(Isaiah 25:6-10a; Psalm 23)
KEY VERSE: "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd" (v 32).
READING: Like Moses, Jesus went up on a mountain to teach the people. A compassionate teacher, he had concern for the needs of his people, both spiritual and physical. He took pity on the crowd that had been following him for three days and were without food. The disciples were at a loss as to how they could feed so many hungry people. Jesus took seven loaves of bread and some fish, gave thanks, broke the bread, and distributed it to the disciples who in turn satisfied the hungry crowd. This “Gentile feeding” corresponds to the “Jewish feeding” (Matthew 14:13–21). The seven remaining baskets signified the fullness of God's care for all people, gentile and Jew. These same acts: taking, thanking, breaking and offering are what priests do in the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass. The "breaking of the bread" was an early name for the Eucharist (Greek, eucharistia, "the giving of thanks," Acts.2:42).
REFLECTING: In what ways do I feed God's hungry people?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, I give you thanks for satisfying my hunger in your Eucharistic presence.
December 4, Optional Memorial of John
Damascene, priest and doctor of the Church
John was born into a Arab-Christian family of
Damascus. Like his father, he held a position high in the court of the caliph.
About 725 he resigned his office and became a monk at Mar Saba near Bethlehem,
where he became a priest. John's lasting legacy began when Emperor Leo III, in
726 commanded the destruction of all religious likenesses, whether icons,
mosaics, or statues, Iconoclasts ("image smashers" in Greek) went on
a spree, demolishing nearly all icons in the Empire. From his distant post in
the Holy Land, John argued that icons should not be worshiped, but they could
be venerated. John wrote "The Fountain of Wisdom," the first real
compendium of Christian theology. Along with other works defending the orthodox
faith, he wrote commentaries on St. Paul, poetry, hymns, and adapted choral
music for use in the liturgy. John was such an excellent speaker that he was
known as Chrysorrhoas("golden-stream"). John of Damascus was the last of
the Greek Fathers of the Church, and the first of the Christian Aristotleans.
He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1890 by Pope Leo XIII.
I shall live in the house of the
Lord all the days of my life
‘I have compassion on the crowd.’A recent holiday in the mountains has helped to make the readings more potent than usual. The magnificent vistas and clean, cold air gave ready access to the feeling of ‘awayness’. It was a time of sifting and sorting, for another leap into life. Jesus often chose to go into the hills as a prelude or postscript to his work of healing. He felt empowered to heal with a clear, compassionate mind. He was tuned into the hunger of the people. One of my first Jesuit teachers advised me to create an ‘away’ time and place for each day, helping the quality and focus of my prayer time. We all choose our own prayer space - a special chair, a small garden, a spot by the sea or something we hold in our hand. From such a place, we are encouraged by Jesus to affirm those who come our way.
December 5
St. John Damascene
(676?-749)
St. John Damascene
(676?-749)
John spent most of his life in the monastery of St. Sabas, near
Jerusalem, and all of his life under Muslim rule, indeed, protected by it. He
was born in Damascus, received a classical and theological education, and
followed his father in a government position under the Arabs. After a few years
he resigned and went to the monastery of St. Sabas.
He is
famous in three areas. First, he is known for his writings against the
iconoclasts, who opposed the veneration of images. Paradoxically, it was the
Eastern Christian emperor Leo who forbade the practice, and it was because John
lived in Muslim territory that his enemies could not silence him. Second, he is
famous for his treatise, Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, a
summary of the Greek Fathers (of which he became the last). It is said that
this book is for Eastern schools what the Summa of
Aquinas became for the West. Thirdly, he is known as a poet, one of the
two greatest of the Eastern Church, the other being Romanus the Melodist. His
devotion to the Blessed Mother and his sermons on her feasts are well known.
Comment:
John defended the Church’s understanding of the veneration of images and explained the faith of the Church in several other controversies. For over 30 years he combined a life of prayer with these defenses and his other writings. His holiness expressed itself in putting his literary and preaching talents at the service of the Lord.
John defended the Church’s understanding of the veneration of images and explained the faith of the Church in several other controversies. For over 30 years he combined a life of prayer with these defenses and his other writings. His holiness expressed itself in putting his literary and preaching talents at the service of the Lord.
Quote:
“The saints must be honored as friends of Christ and children and heirs of God, as John the theologian and evangelist says: ‘But as many as received him, he gave them the power to be made the sons of God....’ Let us carefully observe the manner of life of all the apostles, martyrs, ascetics and just men who announced the coming of the Lord. And let us emulate their faith, charity, hope, zeal, life, patience under suffering, and perseverance unto death, so that we may also share their crowns of glory” (Exposition of the Orthodox Faith).
“The saints must be honored as friends of Christ and children and heirs of God, as John the theologian and evangelist says: ‘But as many as received him, he gave them the power to be made the sons of God....’ Let us carefully observe the manner of life of all the apostles, martyrs, ascetics and just men who announced the coming of the Lord. And let us emulate their faith, charity, hope, zeal, life, patience under suffering, and perseverance unto death, so that we may also share their crowns of glory” (Exposition of the Orthodox Faith).
LECTIO DIVINA:
MATTHEW 15,29-37
Lectio:
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
1st Week of Advent
1) Opening prayer
God of all people,
you know how people hunger and thirst
for truth, love and acceptance.
If we accept you and believe in you
we see our deepest trust and aspirations
being fulfilled by you
as we work for the coming of your kingdom.
Help us to let the cup that you pour for us
overflow on all your people,
that all may praise you
now and for ever.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 15, 29-37
Jesus went on from there and reached the shores of the Lake of Galilee, and he went up onto the mountain. He took his seat, and large crowds came to him bringing the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb and many others; these they put down at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were astonished to see the dumb speaking, the cripples whole again, the lame walking and the blind with their sight, and they praised the God of Israel. But Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them off hungry, or they might collapse on the way.' The disciples said to him, 'Where in a deserted place could we get sufficient bread for such a large crowd to have enough to eat?' Jesus said to them, 'How many loaves have you?' They said, 'Seven, and a few small fish.' Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks he broke them and began handing them to the disciples, who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected what was left of the scraps, seven baskets full.
3) Reflection
Today’s Gospel is like the rising sun. It is always the same sun, every day, which rejoices life and renders plants fertile. The greatest danger is routine. Routine kills the Gospel and extinguishes the sun of life.
• The elements which form the picture of the Gospel are always the same: Jesus, the mountain, the sea, the crowds, the sick, the needy, the problems of life. In spite of the fact of knowing them well, like the sun of every day, these same elements always bring a new message.
• Like Moses, Jesus goes up to the mountain and the people gather around him. They bring their problems with them: the sick, the lame, the blind, the mute, the deaf, so many problems… Not only the big ones but also the small ones. They are the beginning of the new People of God who gather together around the new Moses. Jesus cures all of them.
• Jesus calls the Disciples. He has compassion of the people who have nothing to eat . According to the Disciples, the solution has to come from outside: “Where to find bread to feed so many people?” According to Jesus the solution has to come from the people: “How many loaves have you?” “Seven and a few small fish”. With these few loaves of bread and small fish Jesus satisfies the hunger of all, and there are even some left over. If today people would share what they have, there would be no hunger in the world. Many things would be left over! Truly, another world is possible!
• The account of the multiplication of the loaves recalls the Eucharist and reveals its value in saying: “Jesus, took the bread in his hands, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to his Disciples”.
4) Personal questions
• Jesus feels compassion. Is there any compassion in me, in the face of the problems of humanity? Do I do something about it?
• The Disciples expect that the solution comes from outside. Jesus asks for the solution from within? And I?.
5) Concluding Prayer
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose. (Ps 23)
God of all people,
you know how people hunger and thirst
for truth, love and acceptance.
If we accept you and believe in you
we see our deepest trust and aspirations
being fulfilled by you
as we work for the coming of your kingdom.
Help us to let the cup that you pour for us
overflow on all your people,
that all may praise you
now and for ever.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 15, 29-37
Jesus went on from there and reached the shores of the Lake of Galilee, and he went up onto the mountain. He took his seat, and large crowds came to him bringing the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb and many others; these they put down at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were astonished to see the dumb speaking, the cripples whole again, the lame walking and the blind with their sight, and they praised the God of Israel. But Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them off hungry, or they might collapse on the way.' The disciples said to him, 'Where in a deserted place could we get sufficient bread for such a large crowd to have enough to eat?' Jesus said to them, 'How many loaves have you?' They said, 'Seven, and a few small fish.' Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks he broke them and began handing them to the disciples, who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected what was left of the scraps, seven baskets full.
3) Reflection
Today’s Gospel is like the rising sun. It is always the same sun, every day, which rejoices life and renders plants fertile. The greatest danger is routine. Routine kills the Gospel and extinguishes the sun of life.
• The elements which form the picture of the Gospel are always the same: Jesus, the mountain, the sea, the crowds, the sick, the needy, the problems of life. In spite of the fact of knowing them well, like the sun of every day, these same elements always bring a new message.
• Like Moses, Jesus goes up to the mountain and the people gather around him. They bring their problems with them: the sick, the lame, the blind, the mute, the deaf, so many problems… Not only the big ones but also the small ones. They are the beginning of the new People of God who gather together around the new Moses. Jesus cures all of them.
• Jesus calls the Disciples. He has compassion of the people who have nothing to eat . According to the Disciples, the solution has to come from outside: “Where to find bread to feed so many people?” According to Jesus the solution has to come from the people: “How many loaves have you?” “Seven and a few small fish”. With these few loaves of bread and small fish Jesus satisfies the hunger of all, and there are even some left over. If today people would share what they have, there would be no hunger in the world. Many things would be left over! Truly, another world is possible!
• The account of the multiplication of the loaves recalls the Eucharist and reveals its value in saying: “Jesus, took the bread in his hands, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to his Disciples”.
4) Personal questions
• Jesus feels compassion. Is there any compassion in me, in the face of the problems of humanity? Do I do something about it?
• The Disciples expect that the solution comes from outside. Jesus asks for the solution from within? And I?.
5) Concluding Prayer
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose. (Ps 23)
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