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.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, the Lord comes to save his people;
blessed are those prepared to meet him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, the Lord comes to save his people;
blessed are those prepared to meet him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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."
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, MATTHEW 15:29-37
Advent Weekday
Advent Weekday
(Isaiah 25:6-10a; Psalm 23)
KEY VERSE: "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd" (v 32).
TO KNOW: 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 what the disciples had, 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” (Mt 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 continue to 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).
TO LOVE: In what ways will I feed God's hungry people this Advent?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, I give you thanks for satisfying my hunger in your Eucharistic presence.
Wednesday 2 December 2015
Isaiah
25:6-10. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life—Ps
22(23). Matthew 15:29-37.
This is
the Lord for whom we have waited.
As God
fed the waiting Israelites, so Jesus feeds the crowds who have been with
him. From early childhood we become aware that 'Good things come to those
who wait'. Yet in a world of high-speed technologies, we find it intolerable
and unacceptable to wait for anything—impatience, self-centredness and
perpetual busy-ness tells us that we need it 'ASAP'! Unused to waiting, we
exist in a state that can fluctuate from boredom, frustration, fear to hope,
anticipation, excitement. But waiting can be an important lesson in slowing
down, listening to God and trusting that, while we might feel bored or
frustrated, we are not forgotten. In waiting, we might even find in the quiet
of our hearts a loving God who has been waiting for us all along.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
Jesus Is Our Light
|
In celebrating the birth of Christ, let us carefully consider what
his birth reveals about God. This is a God who comes not to condemn but to give
life. Once we begin to grasp this life, then the vision of Isaiah, as
remarkable as it seems, cannot hold a candle to the light that will shine from
us.
December
2
Blessed Rafal Chylinski
(1694-1741)
Blessed Rafal Chylinski
(1694-1741)
Born near Buk in the Poznan region of Poland, Melchior showed
early signs of religious devotion; family members nicknamed him "the
little monk." After completing his studies at the Jesuit college in
Poznan, Melchior joined the cavalry and was promoted to
officer rank within three years.
In 1715, against the urgings of his military comrades, Melchior
joined the Conventual Franciscans in Krakow. Receiving the name Rafal, he
was ordained two years later. After pastoral assignments in nine cities, he
came to Lagiewniki (central Poland), where he spent the last 13 years of his
life, except for 20 months ministering to flood and epidemic victims in Warsaw.
In all these places, Rafal was known for his simple and candid sermons, for his
generosity, as well as his ministry in the confessional. People of all levels
of society were drawn to the self-sacrificing way he lived out his religious
profession and priestly ministry.
Rafal played the harp, lute, and mandolin to accompany
liturgical hymns. In Lagiewniki he distributed food, supplies, and clothing to
the poor. After his death, the Conventual church in that city became a place of
pilgrimage for people throughout Poland. He was beatified in Warsaw in 1991.
Comment:
The sermons preached by Rafal were powerfully reinforced by the living sermon of his life. The Sacrament of Reconciliation can help us bring our daily choices into harmony with our words about Jesus’ influence in our life.
The sermons preached by Rafal were powerfully reinforced by the living sermon of his life. The Sacrament of Reconciliation can help us bring our daily choices into harmony with our words about Jesus’ influence in our life.
Quote:
During the beatification homily, Pope John Paul II said, "May Blessed Rafal remind us that every one of us, even though we are sinners, has been called to love and to holiness" (L'Osservatore Romano, 1991, vol. 25, number 19).
During the beatification homily, Pope John Paul II said, "May Blessed Rafal remind us that every one of us, even though we are sinners, has been called to love and to holiness" (L'Osservatore Romano, 1991, vol. 25, number 19).
LECTIO DIVINA:
MATTHEW 15,29-37
Lectio:
Wednesday,
December 2, 2015
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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