JOHN 6:5-15 MULTIPLICATION OF THE LOAVES AND FISHES (LECTIO)
When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do.
Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little (bit).” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline.”
Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.
REFLECTION: (MEDITATIO)
Jesus saw the needs of the people without being told…Jesus knows our needs before we bring them to Him in prayer…prayer is not to change Jesus’ mind but to remind us of who is in charge…trust in Jesus…
his disciples try to help by telling Jesus of the few loaves and fishes….We are instruments in God’s hand…make ourselves available for when He calls..eyes and ears open each day for opportunities to serve…
Jesus has the people recline…Jesus is very aware of other people needs as well as their need for nourishment physically and spiritually….Jesus took the loaves and gave thanks…Jesus is always thankful to the Father…do we give thanks to the Father for everyday blessings..Jesus trusts the Father…
those in the crowd had their fill…Our God is a God of abundance, never stingy…there was much left over,… “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted…Jesus shows us how to be good stewards of the gifts of God….what kind of stewards are we…give thanks to God for He is good…His mercy endures forever
SILENT PRAYER (ORATIO)
JOHN 11:11-27,39-54 I AM THE RESURRECTION AND LIFE (LECTIO)
Jesus said to his disciples,”Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him.” The disciples didn’t understand so then Jesus said,”Lazarus has died. And I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe. Let us go to him.”…
Martha ran to meet Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. (But) even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.”
Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”
Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha said to him, “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.”
Jesus cried out in a loud voice,”Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, tied with burial bands, So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.” Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and Martha and seen what he had done began to believe in him.
REFLECTION: (MEDITATIO)
Jesus’ friend Lazarus has died….death is no obstacle to Jesus…Jesus is glad he was not there so that he can perform this miracle before witnesses that they might believe in him and him who sent him…miracles help reveal Jesus’ divinity but some miracles are not that dramatic…look for them in your own life…sin and death are vanquished by Jesus, Our Lord and Savior…Alleluia!
Martha believes if Jesus had been there her brother would not have died because God grants whatever Jesus requests…Martha believes in Jesus’ influence with the Father…He pleads at the right hand for us always…do we trust Jesus….Jesus tells Martha, I am the resurrection and life, whoever believes me will never die…Do we believe this as well…Martha professes her faith in Jesus…You are the Messiah, the Son of God…who do you believe Jesus to be…Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb…Lazarus comes out…and many began this day to believe in him…
SILENT PRAYER (ORATIO)
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