Be A Part

The WORD today reminds me that Jesus invites us to be a part of his work and do great things. 

When we see news about topnotchers or achievers, we usually see that they did not expect it. They would say that they were just studying to pass or do good, or doing their best, but before they knew it, they were able to achieve something great. This is similar to what we see in the gospel. 

In the gospel, we see the familiar story of Jesus feeding five thousand men. With just 5 loaves and two fish, he was able to feed thousands of people. This not only shows the great power of God, but his invitation to us as well. Jesus did not just make food appear for everyone. He took what was available and made a great miracle out of it.

Jesus invites us to be part of something great. 

In the gospel, Jesus asked the disciples what they had, what they were willing to let go of and did something great with it, he too until now constantly invites us to take part of his mission, to be co workers with him and he will turn into something great whatever small part we can give him.

This is true especially now. In this pandemic, we know government response is needs a lot more help. It is not enough. We need more help. We need more people to share their blessings. Community pantries. Sharing what we have with friends and family who needs it. Donations. Prayers. There are a lot of ways to share our blessings and be a part of God’s work. 

I believe that no good deed is futile. And no work done for God will ever be futile. God will take whatever we can give him, add to it and multiply it to bless other people. So we can be part of God's great plans. 

Do I recognize God calling me to serve him in various ways? Do I realize that this is his way of inviting me to be a part of his grand plan? Do I share my blessings with others? Do I say yes to be a part of God’s plan here on earth? In this pandemic, how can I be a part of God’s work? 

May we be willing to give our share, no matter how small it may seem, and allow God to turn it into something great.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Thank you for another chance to love you. Thank you for the reminder Lord that you can do great things through simple things from me. Sorry for the times I am not willing to be part of it. Help me to surrender to you, to let go and serve you, no matter how small my talent or contribution may seem, I know you can easily turn it to something great for your purpose and glory. Amen.

Blessed Week!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

• JULY 31, 2022
• August 1, 2022
• AUGUST 2, 2022

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Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Lectionary: 407

Reading 1 

JER 28:1-17 

In the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah,
in the fifth month of the fourth year,
the prophet Hananiah, son of Azzur, from Gibeon,
said to me in the house of the LORD
in the presence of the priests and all the people:
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel:
‘I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.
Within two years I will restore to this place
all the vessels of the temple of the LORD which Nebuchadnezzar,
king of Babylon, took away from this place to Babylon. 
And I will bring back to this place Jeconiah,
son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
and all the exiles of Judah who went to Babylon,’ says the LORD,
‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’”

The prophet Jeremiah answered the prophet Hananiah 
in the presence of the priests and all the people assembled
in the house of the LORD, and said:
Amen! thus may the LORD do!
May he fulfill the things you have prophesied
by bringing the vessels of the house of the LORD
and all the exiles back from Babylon to this place!
But now, listen to what I am about to state in your hearing
and the hearing of all the people.
From of old, the prophets who were before you and me prophesied
war, woe, and pestilence against many lands and mighty kingdoms.
But the prophet who prophesies peace
is recognized as truly sent by the LORD
only when his prophetic prediction is fulfilled.

Thereupon the prophet Hananiah took the yoke
from the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it,
and said in the presence of all the people:
“Thus says the LORD: ‘Even so, within two years
I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon,
from off the neck of all the nations.’” At that, the prophet Jeremiah went away.

Some time after the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke
from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah,
The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah:
Go tell Hananiah this:  
Thus says the LORD:
By breaking a wooden yoke, you forge an iron yoke!
For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel:
A yoke of iron I will place on the necks
of all these nations serving Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon,
and they shall serve him; even the beasts of the field I give him.

To the prophet Hananiah the prophet Jeremiah said:
Hear this, Hananiah!
The LORD has not sent you,
and you have raised false confidence in this people.
For this, says the LORD, I will dispatch you from the face of the earth;
this very year you shall die,
because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.
That same year, in the seventh month, Hananiah the prophet died.

Responsorial Psalm 

PS 119:29, 43, 79, 80, 95, 102 

R. (68b) Lord, teach me your statutes.
Remove from me the way of falsehood,
and favor me with your law.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Take not the word of truth from my mouth,
for in your ordinances is my hope.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let those turn to me who fear you
and acknowledge your decrees.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let my heart be perfect in your statutes,
that I be not put to shame.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Sinners wait to destroy me,
but I pay heed to your decrees.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
From your ordinances I turn not away,
for you have instructed me.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.

Alleluia 

JN 1:49B 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Rabbi, you are the Son of God;
you are the King of Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

MT 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.