After Jesus speaks to the crowds from Peter’s boat, the Lord changes Peter’s life forever…making him a fisher of men.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 22nd Week of the Year
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Tag Archives: Miracle
Daily Mass: God guides the people through the midst of the sea. Catholic Inspiration
As Moses stretches out his hand, God swept back the sea so that the people could pass through on dry ground; just as quickly, the waters covered Pharaoh’s army and saved the children of Israel.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 16th Week of the Year
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18th Sunday of the Year: The miracle of fishes and loaves.
Study: Where in my life have I experienced God’s abundant grace? Where and when have I encountered a miracle?
Pray: Jesus met the people in their needs; perhaps we might come to the Lord with our concerns and fears.
Serve: How might we be an instrument of grace for another today? Has the Lord put someone in our life right now to serve?
18th Sunday of the Year Readings
The Gospel this week offers a familiar story that many of us have heard on numerous occasions. The miracle of the fishes and loaves offers a rich opportunity to reflect on a variety of themes that are central to the Christian disciple.
In order to do this, let’s take a step-by-step review of this story:
1. Jesus hears of the death of John the Baptist
2. Jesus seeks solitude in a deserted place
3. The crowds eagerly seek Jesus
4. Jesus sees the crowds and pities them
5. Jesus cures their sick
6. The people are hungry and far from home
7. The disciples tell Jesus to send the people away
8. Jesus tells the disciples to feed the people
9. The disciples say there is only 5 loaves & 2 fish
10. Jesus TAKES, BLESSES, BREAKS, GIVES
11. There is an abundance (leftovers of food!)
Here are a few observations:
1. Jesus’ heart is moved with sorrow for the death of John the Baptist. Perhaps he is considering his own approaching death, and he seeks some quiet personal time. Yet when the crowds crush in upon him, the Lord pities and responds to their needs. It is the generous and loving heart of Jesus that is worthy of reflection and observation here.
2. Jesus observes that many people are sick, and the Lord takes the time to heal their bodies.
3. The people have been with Jesus all day. They are far from home, and they have not eaten. While the disciples want the Lord to send them away, Jesus commands them to feed the people; when they use the limited food supply as their excuse, Jesus takes, blesses, breaks, and gives them an abundance. Thus, Jesus cares for the people – body and soul in a way that is truly overwhelming.
4. The same verbs of taking, blessing, breaking, and giving are used to describe the Lord at the Last Supper. This feeding miracle is just another form of Eucharist!
Jesus moves beyond his own personal concerns to love, respond, and serve others. The Lord cares for both the physical and spiritual needs of people in a generous way. May we follow his example in our own lives of service and ministry.
Note: This post was first published on July 29, 2014.
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Daily Mass: In the name of Jesus. Catholic Inspiration
Peter and John show how the name of Jesus brings hope and life to a beggar. Following their example, we offer our lives today as a living witness to the power of God in the world.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the Octave of Easter
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Daily Mass: The Lord grieves over our hard hearts. Catholic Inspiration
The Lord heals a man with a withered hand and is angry and grieved when he encounters a lack of charity and hardness of heart from the crowd.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 2nd Week of the Year
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Photo Credit: Jesus of Nazareth, 1977.
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Daily Mass: The power of Jesus. Catholic Inspiration
The Lord’s power over life and death in the Gospel of Luke reminds us that Jesus is the Christ and Messiah. May we let his grace transform our hearts.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 24th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: Christ is the source of our healing. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus heals two people in the Gospel today, revealing his power as the Son of God. As his disciples we continue the Lord’s healing work as we draw strength from Christ…the source of our healing.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 4th Week of the Year
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Photo Credit: The Passion of the Christ, 2004.
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Daily Mass: A powerful miracle. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 24th Week of the Year
Jesus revives a dead man and returns him to his widowed mother in the sight of a large crowd. This powerful miracle anticipates the Lord’s resurrection that we might be restored in our relationship with God. A powerful miracle, indeed!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Daily Mass: The conversion of St. Paul. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Friday of the 3rd Week of Easter
In the first reading today we hear of the conversion of St. Paul, who begins the passage “breathing murderous threats” against the Church and ends with his preaching in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. May Paul’s change of heart inspire us to draw ever nearer to the Lord!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Daily Mass: An encounter with Jesus. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 4th Week of Lent
A crippled man is healed by Jesus, and some people get hung up on a religious rule. It’s a good reminder for us: to count our blessings and focus on what is precious so that we understand the gift of life in its proper perspective.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
