Be A Part

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/080717.cfm) 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 know 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 first reading, we saw that Moses took this invitation. God invited him to lead the people out of slavery. He of course took the opportunity. He had problems, but he still remained faithful to God's invitation. And we see that God used him mightily. 

In the way that God asked Moses to be part of his plans, and how 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.

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. 

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-

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August 7, 2017
Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 407

Reading 1NM 11:4B-15

The children of Israel lamented,
"Would that we had meat for food!
We remember the fish we used to eat without cost in Egypt,
and the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks,
the onions, and the garlic.
But now we are famished;
we see nothing before us but this manna."

Manna was like coriander seed and had the color of resin.
When they had gone about and gathered it up,
the people would grind it between millstones or pound it in a mortar,
then cook it in a pot and make it into loaves,
which tasted like cakes made with oil.
At night, when the dew fell upon the camp, the manna also fell. 

When Moses heard the people, family after family,
crying at the entrance of their tents,
so that the LORD became very angry, he was grieved.
"Why do you treat your servant so badly?" Moses asked the LORD.
"Why are you so displeased with me
that you burden me with all this people?
Was it I who conceived all this people? 
Or was it I who gave them birth,
that you tell me to carry them at my bosom,
like a foster father carrying an infant,
to the land you have promised under oath to their fathers?
Where can I get meat to give to all this people?
For they are crying to me,
'Give us meat for our food.'
I cannot carry all this people by myself,
for they are too heavy for me.
If this is the way you will deal with me,
then please do me the favor of killing me at once,
so that I need no longer face this distress."

Responsorial PsalmPS 81:12-13, 14-15, 16-17

R. (2a) Sing with joy to God our help.
"My people heard not my voice,
and Israel obeyed me not;
So I gave them up to the hardness of their hearts;
they walked according to their own counsels."
R. Sing with joy to God our help.
"If only my people would hear me,
and Israel walk in my ways,
Quickly would I humble their enemies;
against their foes I would turn my hand."
R. Sing with joy to God our help.
"Those who hated the LORD would seek to flatter me,
but their fate would endure forever,
While Israel I would feed with the best of wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would fill them."
R. Sing with joy to God our help.

AlleluiaMT 4:4

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 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.