Fourth Monday of Ordinary Time

As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

After Jesus drives the demons out of the possessed man, we are told of two very different reactions. First, the swineherds and people in the area are struck with fear at the sight of what happens. Although they could have focused on the miraculous cure of the demoniac, they instead focus on the drowning swine and beg Jesus to leave. These people miss out on an opportunity to welcome Christ into their lives because they are frightened by what he might do next. Similarly, some of us are afraid of what Jesus will do in our hearts if we truly let him in. He might drive out all the distractions, imperfections, and sin we have grown accustom to over the years. However, this is exactly what all of us are called to do. If we do not let Jesus into our hearts, then we allow ourselves to be possessed by worldly things and acts of sin. Instead, we should be like the man who has been freed from the demons. We should ask to follow Christ and then do what he tells us to do, proclaiming his gospel all along the way.

How do we react to God when he enters our lives through inspiration or the counsel of others? Are we willing to make our lives a proclamation of God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace? Are we willing to go and do what God is asking us even if it isn’t what we expected or asked for?

O Lord, give me the grace to proclaim all you have done for us.

Amen.

First Wednesday of Advent

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.

After curing the lame, blind, deaf, deformed, and many others, Jesus shows compassion for the crowd and orders his disciples to feed them with what little they had on hand. This miracle shows not only Jesus’ concern for the well-being of his brothers and sisters, but also his ability to multiply the gifts we have. Each of us is like the disciples, we have a something to offer, but sometimes in our eyes it is not enough. However, Jesus does not look at what we have to offer and see a lack, but rather he sees the faith, hope, and love behind the gift. If we are willing to give God our time, talents, and treasures, He will multiply them a thousand fold and from our surplus He will feed His children body, mind, and soul.

Do we show compassion to and concern for others? What time, talents, and treasures do we have to offer God? Are we willing to trust God and give these things to Him so that He can give thanks over them and multiply them?

O Lord, we give thanks for all we have and offer everything to you so that you may do with it what you will.

Amen.

Second Friday of Easter

"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?"

The boy has only a meager offering of loaves and fish, but Jesus multiplies them to feed thousands. In the same way, Jesus takes our meager good works and multiplies them to help thousands. Every act of love we commit ripples through the lives around us. Jesus magnifies love and turns our charitable works—no matter how small—into beacons of his Divine Love for all. So whenever we are presented with the opportunity to do good, we ought to offer whatever we have to God and let him feed His children with it. We should not let others convince us that our kindnesses are useless or meaningless. Our good works are given use and meaning by how God weaves them into his Divine Plan.

What acts of love, great or small, can we do for our fellow children of God? What opportunities to do good do we have available to us? In what ways have we noticed that our good works ripple away from us?

O Lord, let us offer you all our love so that you can magnify it and feed your children.

Amen.