The Holy Gospel according to Matthew (14:13-21)
When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist,
he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.
The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns.
When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick.
When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said,
“This is a deserted place and it is already late;
dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages
and buy food for themselves.”
He said to them, “There is no need for them to go away;
give them some food yourselves.”
But they said to him,
“Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.”
Then he said, “Bring them here to me,”
and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,
he said the blessing, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples,
who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied,
and they picked up the fragments left over–
twelve wicker baskets full.
Those who ate were about five thousand men,
not counting women and children.
Reflection: In today’s Gospel, Jesus was mourning the death of his beloved cousin, so He was depressed. Jesus decided to be alone to deal with His grieving. Of course, the people had another idea so, Jesus stepped out, cured and fed. This scripture is about love. It’s Jesus and His non-stop ministry to his people. Healing the sick, raising the dead, stopping storms, curing the blind, the leopard, the lame, and the paralyzed.
Who of us goes on a trip for peace and comfort only to continue doing your work there? It’s the like you going to a secluded beach in Maui only to find other parishioners there. And it’s Bingo night. And you’re the Caller.
There are many types of Love, and we use that word sometimes a little too loosely. We love our dogs, our food, nature, books, movies etc. We use this word to identify how much we enjoyed something. But true love is reserved only for a select group. It’s for our family, our friends, our parishioners, our spouse, our partner and don’t forget … Our God.
You see … Love heals! Do you recall when you first met your spouse or grandchild (as an example) and nothing could be wronged in your life? When you are in LOVE then everything is tolerable. In fact, everything is GREAT! Even when something bad happens because you’re in love then you heal faster. And speaking of healing, we are capable and have the ability to heal too. When heal with friendship, a smile, a visit, a phone call, taking someone to dinner, you get the point. It’s about finding God’s love trough his people. Letting God smile at you through the face of his people. Pope Francis, “I have taken on the smell of His sheep.”
This reminds me of one of my favorite poems by Fr. Pedro Arupe. SJ:
“Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in Love in a quite absolute way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.
Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”
When you are in LOVE then everything is tolerable. In fact, everything is GREAT! My Sisters & Brothers: “Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”
Action of the Day: Think about the people in your life that have embraced you and made you feel good. Give Thanks to Lord for that grace. Now, pay it forward, think of the people that need a little kindness from you. Now reach out to them.
Audio Reflection:
