In today’s Scripture, we hear about God‘s plan of unity. We hear about God blessing the unity and union between man and woman as they become husband and wife. And then Jesus very specifically talks about union with God in terms of relationship as child to parent.

There are certain relationships that are supposed to help us in life. These relationships help us be better. These relationships help us live as God intends us to live. One of these relationships is that of marriage. Marriage as it should be. Marriage intended by God to be a blessing to the man and the woman as husband and wife. In union with each other, they support and love each other in a way that draws them closer not only to one another – but to God. As they know their love for each other they better understand the love of God. Their relationship is to be a reflection of God‘s love.

That’s God‘s plan. This relationship called marriage can be a wonderful gift and blessing to us.

This is reflected in the words from the book of Genesis and also words from the mouth of Jesus in today’s Gospel. Today we hear Jesus present another relationship that will help us to be in union with God. That is one of child to parent. Jesus tells us we must except the kingdom of God as a little child. What does this mean? It means that we are dependent upon the parent. In this case – God. We acknowledge that God knows better than we do what is good for us. We acknowledge that God knows more than we do. In the end we are called to trust God. We are called in this relationship to allow God’s will for us to be the guiding principle, as opposed to our limited passions and understandings. What we are called to do is to align our passions and understanding to the will of God. We are called to try and understand the will of God through prayer, through Scripture, through the teachings of our Church. As a child would, we allow ourselves to be taught, directed, and guided. We acknowledge that we do not know everything. To say it quite bluntly, we acknowledge that there is a reality greater than ourselves.

This is not about power, control, or dominance. It is about trust and care. We are called to trust that God will care for us. Jesus teaches us to pray and says that we are invited to call God “Our Father”. This is a powerful statement of relationship. This approach towards our relationship with God helps us to have greater union with God.

What relationships help you have a greater relationship with God? Who in your life helps you live in the image of God? Who brings out the best in you? Do you find yourself more joyful, more patient, more generous, more kind because of a particular special person in your life? The love that we give one another it’s a reflection of the love that God gives to us. The more we give patience, kindness, and love to others – the more we live in the image of God.

Today let us pray that we have healthy relationships that are holy, Let us pray for families and marriages and children. Let us ask God’s Spirit to continue to come upon us – that we may grow closer to one another and closer to God .

First Reading
Gn 2:18-24

The two of them become one flesh.

A reading from the Book of Genesis

The LORD God said: “It is not good for the man to be alone.
I will make a suitable partner for him.”
So the LORD God formed out of the ground
   various wild animals and various birds of the air,
   and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them;
   whatever the man called each of them would be its name.
The man gave names to all the cattle,
   all the birds of the air, and all wild animals;
   but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man.

So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man,
   and while he was asleep,
   he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.
The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib
   that he had taken from the man.
When he brought her to the man, the man said:
   “This one, at last, is bone of my bones
      and flesh of my flesh;
   this one shall be called ‘woman,’
      for out of ‘her man’ this one has been taken.”
That is why a man leaves his father and mother
   and clings to his wife,
   and the two of them become one flesh.

---

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

R. :

℟. (cf. 5) May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
   who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
   blessed shall you be, and favored.

℟. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
   in the recesses of your home;
   your children like olive plants
   around your table.

℟. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives. 

Behold, thus is the man blessed
   who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
   may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
   all the days of your life.

℟. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

May you see your children’s children.
   Peace be upon Israel!

℟. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

---

Second Reading
Heb 2:9-11

He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Brothers and sisters:
He “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels,”
   that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

For it was fitting that he,
   for whom and through whom all things exist,
   in bringing many children to glory,
   should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering.
He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated
   all have one origin.
Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers.”

---

Acclamation before the Gospel
1 Jn 4:12

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

If we love one another, God remains in us
and his love is brought to perfection in us.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

---

Gospel
Mk 10:2-16 or 10:2-12

Therefore what God has joined together, let no human being separate.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked,
“Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?”
They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”
They replied,
   “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.”
But Jesus told them,
   “Because of the hardness of your hearts
   he wrote you this commandment.
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
   and be joined to his wife,
   and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together,
   no human being must separate.”
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.
He said to them,
   “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
   commits adultery against her;
   and if she divorces her husband and marries another,
   she commits adultery.”

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them,
   but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
   “Let the children come to me;
   do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Amen, I say to you,
   whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child
   will not enter it.”
Then he embraced them and blessed them,
   placing his hands on them.

Or: [Shorter Form]

The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked,
“Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?”
They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”
They replied,
   “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.”
But Jesus told them,
   “Because of the hardness of your hearts
   he wrote you this commandment.
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
   and be joined to his wife,
   and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together,
   no human being must separate.”
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.
He said to them,
   “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
   commits adultery against her;
   and if she divorces her husband and marries another,
   she commits adultery.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

“The Spirit of the Lord came upon them”. Such powerful words with such powerful results. These words could be describing many moments in our salvation history. It could be taken from the Old Testament or the New Testament. Think of the great moment of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles and they moved from fear to courage. They went from hiding in the upper room to bold proclamation in foreign lands.

In today’s first reading we have a moment from the Old Testament. The people are being led by Moses. He is training young Joshua to succeed him in leadership. The Holy Spirit comes upon other leaders in the community. 70 elders of the community are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to speak about God. They begin to prophesy. And yet the circumstance in which God comes to them is not all the same. Two men receive the Holy Spirit in a different way from the others. Joshua does not accept anything but what he considers to be the standard way in which God works. He does not allow for exceptions. He has a problem with these two men speaking and acting in the name of God because they do not fit his preconceived notion of how it is all supposed to come together. Moses corrects Joshua. Moses teaches Joshua. Moses is older and wiser. Moses understands that God works in unlimited ways. Moses welcomes the two men as much as he welcomes the other leaders. He allows God to work according to God’s plan.

This same dynamic is happening centuries later in our Gospel from Mark. We hear today that the Apostles present to Jesus their indignation at others speaking and acting in the name of Jesus who are not “among their number”. Jesus helps the Apostles understand how God works. Jesus points out that these other men are indeed working in accord with God‘s plan. Jesus points out that if we do good in His name then we are united to Him. Jesus then speaks in dramatic terms that challenge each individual to radical self introspection, atonement, and amending of ways.

This begs the question of how we see others and how we see ourselves. First of all do we see ourselves as ministers of Christ? We may not be trained in a seminary or ordained or officially part of church leader ship, but by virtue of our baptism we all share in the ministry of Christ. We are all called to do good works in the name of Christ. We are all to be as St Paul says “ambassadors of Christ”. Is that how we see ourselves? Is that what gives direction to what we say and what we do? And then to reflect further, how do we see others? Do we allow others to also present God to us? Others may not share our faith background or approach or even understanding. However God can still certainly work through anyone. Do we allow our minds and hearts to be open to the opportunity to receive God‘s grace and blessing through any person we meet?

Today let us pray that the Holy Spirit may come upon us. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide our spiritual leaders. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide our hearts. May we re-commit ourselves to our baptismal identity and do good works in the name of the Lord. And allow others to do the same.

First Reading
Nm 11:25-29

Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets!

A reading from the Book of Numbers

The LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses.
Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses,
   the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders;
   and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied.
Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad,
   were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp.
They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent;
   yet the spirit came to rest on them also,
   and they prophesied in the camp.
So, when a young man quickly told Moses,
   “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp,”
   Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’aide, said,
   “Moses, my lord, stop them.”
But Moses answered him,
   “Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!
Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!”

---

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14

R. :

℟. (9a) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

The law of the LORD is perfect,
   refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
   giving wisdom to the simple.

℟. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

The fear of the LORD is pure,
   enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
   all of them just.

℟. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

Though your servant is careful of them,
   very diligent in keeping them,
yet who can detect failings?
   Cleanse me from my unknown faults!

℟. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant;
   let it not rule over me.
Then shall I be blameless
   and innocent of serious sin.

℟. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

---

Second Reading
Jas 5:1-6

Your wealth has rotted away.

A reading from the Letter of Saint James

Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,
   your gold and silver have corroded,
   and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;
   it will devour your flesh like a fire.
You have stored up treasure for the last days.
Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers
   who harvested your fields are crying aloud;
   and the cries of the harvesters
   have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure;
   you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.
You have condemned;
   you have murdered the righteous one;
   he offers you no resistance.

---

Acclamation before the Gospel
Cf. Jn 17:17b, 17a

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

---

Gospel
Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Whoever is not against us is for us. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

At that time, John said to Jesus,
“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
   and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
   who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
   because you belong to Christ,
   amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
   it would be better for him if a great millstone
   were put around his neck
   and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
   than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
   into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
   than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
   than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
   where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.



All throughout the Gospel of Mark, we are presented with a gradual revelation of Jesus as Messiah. Mark presents Jesus’ divine identity in various ways. Mark has Jesus fulfill the prophecies of Isaiah by healing the blind, the deaf, the mute, the lame, and eventually raising the dead. Mark has the members of the crowd or the Jewish leaders ask the question, “who is this?” This is their response to Jesus – especially when He forgives sins (which is something only God can do.) Mark sets up the answer for us. Jesus does what only God can do because Jesus IS God.

In today’s Gospel from Mark, we hear Jesus clearly lay out the plan of salvation. He tells the Apostles that the Son of Man will be handed over to evil men and be put to death and will rise in three days. The Apostles are confused and upset. This is not the plan that they had in mind. They thought that the Messiah would get rid of the Romans and establish a new Jewish kingdom on earth greater even than that of King David.

Once again the Apostles (before receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost) are very limited in their understanding of how God works. They want God to work according to their plans. They did not want any kind of trail or suffering. They wanted glory and power.

Jesus understands their thoughts. Jesus takes a child and says we must become like this child. What does Jesus mean by doing this? In the days of Jesus a child was completely dependent upon its parents. Moreover a child’s identity completely came from its family – from its father in particular. So Jesus is sending a clear message that we must be dependent upon God our Father. We must allow God‘s will to be greater than our own. We must be open to God‘s plan for us because in the end it’s a matter of trust in God. Jesus warns us not to think in terms of power and self-promotion. He tells us we must serve others. That’s true greatness.

IN our Scripture today, Saint James tells us certain things can get in the way of God’s plan. Saint James warns us that uncontrolled passions and desires can lead us astray. Things such as jealousy and selfish ambition can bring a disorder to our life. We should seek, we should strive to have purity, gentleness compliance and be grounded in God’s peace. These are the things that keep us aligned with God’s Spirit.

So today let us pray that we may humbly trust God. That we may acknowledge God‘s love and care for us. May we understand that God has a plan for us and may we be open to it even if we do not understand every aspect. May we set aside selfish ambition and jealousy. And may we look to one another with eyes eager to serve, eager to care. May we truly receive everyone in the same way we would receive the Lord.

First Reading
Wis 2:12, 17-20

Let us condemn him to a shameful death.

A reading from the Book of Wisdom

The wicked say:
   Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;
      he sets himself against our doings,
   reproaches us for transgressions of the law
      and charges us with violations of our training.
   Let us see whether his words be true;
      let us find out what will happen to him.
   For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him
      and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
   With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test
      that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience.
   Let us condemn him to a shameful death;
      for according to his own words, God will take care of him.

---

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8

R. :

℟. (6b) The Lord upholds my life.

O God, by your name save me,
   and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
   hearken to the words of my mouth.

℟. The Lord upholds my life.

For the haughty men have risen up against me,
   the ruthless seek my life;
   they set not God before their eyes.

℟. The Lord upholds my life.

Behold, God is my helper;
   the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
   I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.

℟. The Lord upholds my life.

---

Second Reading
Jas 3:16-4:3

The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

A reading from the Letter of Saint James

Beloved:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
   there is disorder and every foul practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
   then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
   full of mercy and good fruits,
   without inconstancy or insincerity.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
   for those who cultivate peace.

Where do the wars
   and where do the conflicts among you come from?
Is it not from your passions
   that make war within your members?
You covet but do not possess.
You kill and envy but you cannot obtain;
   you fight and wage war.
You do not possess because you do not ask.
You ask but do not receive,
   because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

---

Acclamation before the Gospel
Cf. 2 Thes 2:14

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

---

Gospel
Mk 9:30-37

The Son of Man is to be handed over … Whoever wishes to be first will be the servant of all.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,
   but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
He was teaching his disciples and telling them,
   “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men
   and they will kill him,
   and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”
But they did not understand the saying,
   and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,
   he began to ask them,
   “What were you arguing about on the way?”
But they remained silent.
They had been discussing among themselves on the way
   who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
   “If anyone wishes to be first,
   he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst,
   and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
   “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
   and whoever receives me,
   receives not me but the One who sent me.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

We hear in today’s Scripture how God heals. When we hear of God‘s healing, most likely we think of physical healing. And certainly it does occur as God interacts with humanity. However, there is a deeper healing that also occurs. Healing of fear and rejection.

Our first reading comes from the great Old Testament prophet Isaiah. He is God‘s messenger. Isaiah delivers this message – “To those who hearts are frightened – be strong, fear not.” God will heal. Now think about that. This message is particularly targeted to those whose hearts are frightened. Be strong, fear not.

All throughout the Gospels, Jesus addresses the matter of fear many times. Jesus will say, “Do not be afraid.” Or He will say, “Fear not.”

Fear can overwhelm us. It can keep us from sleeping. It can keep us from moving forward in relationships. It can paralyze us into a state of sorrow and inaction. We may not act on some thing because we are afraid. We may be afraid of failure. We may be overwhelmed with fear about our own health. We may be overwhelmed by fear regarding the well-being of those we love. The evil one loves to fuel our fears. Like glowing embers in a fire, the devil loves to act as a bellows that will fuel the flames of fear.

No wonder God delivers this message. “To those whose hearts are frightened to be strong fear not.” Following these words – comes a promise.

God says He will heal. He will take care of those who are hurting. We have the great formula for predicting the Messiah. This is called the Messianic formula – given to us Isaiah and then again in our Psalm 146. The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will walk, the mute will speak, and the dead will be raised to life. When these things occur, then the Messiah is among us. This is a direct and clear promise, a direct and clear prophesy that predicts the activity of Jesus. The healing activity of Jesus declares Him as the Messiah – the One Who saves.

Mark’s Gospel picks up on this very clear indicator. Mark shows Jesus healing the mute and the deaf. The man with a speech impediment. At the time of Jesus if someone had such a severe health impediment, that person would have been rejected by the community. So whenever Jesus heals, He heals in terms of the physical, but also in terms of relationship. He heals in terms of how a person is able to be in relationship with others and how they see themselves. Once healed the person realizes they are indeed good and lovable.

This begs the question of us today, what do we have in our life that causes us to be afraid? What worries or anxieties plague our minds and spirit? Do we turn to God for healing? Do we turn to God for strength? It may not be the experience like those of the Gospel where our physical suffering is immediately relieved, but do we take strength from being connected to God? Do we take strength from being LOVED by God? Do we know that fear prevents us from seeing things clearly? Are we open to seeing God working in our lives? Are we open to accepting God’s plan for us? The subject is addressed many times in the Old Testament and New Testament. It is such a common experience. And yet over and over we see that God is present, God saves, God cares.

God is not indifferent to our circumstance. He enters into it. He knows what it is to suffer. He is with us. Whatever your challenge is today, I urge you to give it to God. Ask God to save. Ask her to heal. Ask God to open your heart – like the man cured in today’s Gospel. Know that you are cared for and that you are loved.

Let us hear again the words of God spoken by Isaiah, “Be strong, fear not,” and the words of Jesus as He speaks to our spirit, “Ephphatha! Be opened!”

First Reading
Is 35:4-7a

The ears of those who are deaf will be cleared; and the tongue of those who are mute will sing.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Thus says the LORD:
Say to those whose hearts are frightened:
   Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
   he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
   he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
   the ears of the deaf be cleared;
then will the lame leap like a stag,
   then the tongue of the dumb will sing.
Streams will burst forth in the desert,
   and rivers in the steppe.
The burning sands will become pools,
   and the thirsty ground, springs of water.

---

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10

R. :

R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!
   or:
R. Alleluia.

The God of Jacob keeps faith forever,
   secures justice for the oppressed,
   gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
   or:
R. Alleluia.

The LORD gives sight to the blind;
   the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
   the LORD protects strangers.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
   or:
R. Alleluia.

The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains,
   but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
   your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
   or:
R. Alleluia.

---

Second Reading
Jas 2:1-5

Did not God choose the poor to be heirs of the Kingdom?

A reading from the Letter of Saint James

My brothers and sisters, show no partiality
   as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes
   comes into your assembly,
   and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in,
   and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes
   and say, “Sit here, please,”
   while you say to the poor one, “Stand there,” or “Sit at my feet,”
   have you not made distinctions among yourselves
   and become judges with evil designs?

Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.
Did not God choose those who are poor in the world
   to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom
   that he promised to those who love him?

---

Acclamation before the Gospel
Cf. Mt 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

---

Gospel
Mk 7:31-37

He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

Again Jesus left the district of Tyre
   and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee,
   into the district of the Decapolis.
And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment
   and begged him to lay his hand on him.
He took him off by himself away from the crowd.
He put his finger into the man’s ears
   and, spitting, touched his tongue;
   then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,
   “Ephphatha!”—that is, “Be opened!”—
And immediately the man’s ears were opened,
   his speech impediment was removed,
   and he spoke plainly.
He ordered them not to tell anyone.
But the more he ordered them not to,
   the more they proclaimed it.
They were exceedingly astonished and they said,
   “He has done all things well.
He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Today in our Scripture, we hear of what comes from God and what we give to God in return. We hear about statutes, ordinances, precepts, and rules from God. We hear about things of our spirit – that we allow to become part of us. We are given good advice by Moses and later by Saint James. As always, the words of Jesus come to us as a gift in our Gospel.

Our Scriptures begin today with Moses telling the people that the ordinances, the statutes, precepts, the law of God is a gift. They are to abide by God‘s law and make it a part of their spirit. Now, as Americans we may here are words such as ordinances, statutes, precepts, law and think that these things are things that burden us. We may have an adverse reaction – thinking that these things are restrictions on our freedom.

However I always think of it like this. A very simple image. My wife teaches drum instruction. There are certain basic rules of learning drum rhythm and pattern called rudiments. Once a student knows the basic rudiments, then that student knows the basic drum rhythm and pattern and can build upon it and become a very skilled drummer. So these rudiments need to be practiced over and over until they become second nature. Then the student has the ability and the mastery of skill to become creative and more open to advanced drum performance. So these lessons are not restrictive but rather build a skill set that then allows the student to become a better drummer and overall musician.

That image helps me understand the laws of God. They are not restrictive. They help us become better. They help us be more like God. They help us live in the spirit of God. so when God gives us a law – it is not to control us. It is to free us. God‘s laws must become second nature in our spirit so that we can become better at living in His image. If they become a part of us then we will be more patient, more generous, more kind, slow to anger, quick to mercy, joyful, and grateful. These are the kinds of things that will increase in us.

Saint James picks up this same sentiment as he tells us that one who lives out their religion is one who cares for those most in need. At his time those most in need were widows and orphans. Who is it during our time? Who is it in our daily living? Who most needs us to take care of them?

Jesus tells us that if we live in His spirit then we accept the gifts that come from God. He tells us quite clearly what is not from God. He has a list of things that He calls evil. This list includes evil thoughts, and Chasity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy , arrogance, and folly.

All of our Scripture readings today beg the question of what we allow to become a part of us. What do we allow to be part of our spirit. What does our mind and heart release into the world? Sometimes people talk about the particular type of energy that we have. The traditional theological faith-based language is to speak in terms of our spirit. What is allowed to be calm part of our spirit? Today let us resolve to draw near to God‘s instruction. It is not restrictive or controlling. Rather it frees us to be better, to be more like God, to live more and more in His image and spirit.

We start to take care of those most in need. We send out into the world our love, care, and kindness because we live and breathe, receive and give the spirit of God. May all our words and works give glory to God.

Then we take care of those most in need. May we send out into the world our love and care and kindness because we live and breathe , we receive and give the spirit of our God. 

First Reading
Dt 4:1-2, 6-8

You shall not add to what I command you … keep the commands of the Lord.

A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy

Moses said to the people:
“Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees
   which I am teaching you to observe,
   that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land
   which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.
In your observance of the commandments of the LORD, your God,
   which I enjoin upon you,
   you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.

Observe them carefully,
   for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations,
   who will hear of all these statutes and say,
   ‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’
For what great nation is there
   that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us
   whenever we call upon him?
Or what great nation has statutes and decrees
   that are as just as this whole law
   which I am setting before you today?”

---

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5

R. :

R. (1a) One who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Whoever walks blamelessly and does justice;
   who thinks the truth in his heart
   and slanders not with his tongue.

R. One who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Who harms not his fellow man,
   nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
by whom the reprobate is despised,
   while he honors those who fear the LORD.

R. One who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Who lends not his money at usury
   and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
   shall never be disturbed.

R. One who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

---

Second Reading
Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27

Be doers of the word.

A reading from the Letter of Saint James

Dearest brothers and sisters:
All good giving and every perfect gift is from above,
   coming down from the Father of lights,
   with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.
He willed to give us birth by the word of truth
   that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
   and is able to save your souls.

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this:
   to care for orphans and widows in their affliction
   and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

---

Acclamation before the Gospel
Jas 1:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth
that we might be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

---

Gospel
Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem
   gathered around Jesus,
   they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals
   with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.
—For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews,
   do not eat without carefully washing their hands,
   keeping the tradition of the elders.
And on coming from the marketplace
   they do not eat without purifying themselves.
And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed,
   the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.—
So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him,
   “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders
   but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?”
He responded,
   “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:
      This people honors me with their lips,
         but their hearts are far from me;
      in vain do they worship me,
         teaching as doctrines human precepts.
You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”
He summoned the crowd again and said to them,
   “Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;
   but the things that come out from within are what defile.

“From within people, from their hearts,
   come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
   adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
   licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. This is our Psalm today. It is Psalm 34. I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall be ever in my mouth. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

How wonderful it would be if our spirit was always one of gratitude inspiring us to praise the glory of God. However many times we are like Elijah in our first reading. Elijah is not giving glory to God. He is saying “this is enough, O Lord”. Elijah was “praying for death.” Elijah is the great prophet from the Old Testament. And in today’s first reading we we find him at the point of despair.

So what happens to him? We hear that God sends an angel to take care of him. God provides. God provides by presenting Elijah with food and encouragement.

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. This is such a rich and full phrase. Such a rich and full. admonition. To taste means to partake and to let the food into your body. The food enters our body and becomes part of us. Do we do that with the goodness of the Lord? Do we partake in God‘s goodness? Do we then let things of God become part of who we are? Do we see God‘s goodness? Do we see gods care for us?

At some point in our lives I suspect we are all saying in the words of Elijah. This is enough all Lord. It is precisely in those moments that we need to read up all our efforts to see God‘s goodness in our life. This does not illuminate the challenge or struggle. However it does keep us from being blinded by anxiety or worry. Do you see God‘s goodness? It is present in the care of family friends and staff.

What of God will you allow to become a part of you? Will it be Joy? Will it be patience? Will it be love? Will it be forgiveness? Will it be gratitude? Will it be humility? Will it be generosity? Will it be kindness? Let these things become a part of you. Take them in.

Today let us hear the words of our God. Let us receive His gifts and His care. Always, may we taste and see the goodness of the Lord

First Reading
1 Kgs 19:4-8

Strengthened by that food, he walked to the mountain of God.

A reading from the first Book of Kings

Elijah went a day’s journey into the desert,
   until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it.
He prayed for death saying:
   “This is enough, O LORD!
Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
He lay down and fell asleep under the broom tree,
   but then an angel touched him and ordered him to get up and eat.
Elijah looked and there at his head was a hearth cake
   and a jug of water.
After he ate and drank, he lay down again,
   but the angel of the LORD came back a second time,
   touched him, and ordered,
   “Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!”
He got up, ate, and drank;
   then strengthened by that food,
   he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb.

---

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. :

R.(9a) Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

I will bless the LORD at all times;
   his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
   the lowly will hear me and be glad.

R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Glorify the LORD with me,
   let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
   and delivered me from all my fears.

R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy.
   and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the afflicted man called out, the LORD heard,
   and from all his distress he saved him.

R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

The angel of the LORD encamps
   around those who fear him and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
   blessed the man who takes refuge in him.

R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

---

Second Reading
Eph 4:30-5:2

Walk in love, just like Christ.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians

Brothers and sisters:
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
   with which you were sealed for the day of redemption.
All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling
   must be removed from you, along with all malice.
And be kind to one another, compassionate,
   forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love,
   as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us
   as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.

---

Acclamation before the Gospel
Jn 6:51

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord;
whoever eats this bread will live forever.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

---

Gospel
Jn 6:41-51

I am the living bread that came down from heaven.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said,
   “I am the bread that came down from heaven,”
   and they said,
“Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph?
Do we not know his father and mother?
Then how can he say,
   ‘I have come down from heaven’?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
   “Stop murmuring among yourselves.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him,
   and I will raise him on the last day.
It is written in the prophets:
      They shall all be taught by God.
Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me.
Not that anyone has seen the Father
   except the one who is from God;
   he has seen the Father.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
   whoever believes has eternal life.
I am the bread of life.
Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;
   this is the bread that comes down from heaven
   so that one may eat it and not die.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven;
   whoever eats this bread will live forever;
   and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

“For nothing is impossible to God.”

These are the words of the angel Gabriel as he announces God‘s plan to Mary. These words express God’s activity throughout our salvation history, ie. God’s interacting with humanity.

In our Scripture today we see these words become a reality. In our first reading from the book of Revelation we have powerful images rich in meaning. The image is one of death, evil, sin, the devil – all being conquered through the birth of Jesus. Mary says yes to God‘s plan to be the vehicle of the Incarnation. The Incarnation is the fancy theological term for God becoming man. By doing so Jesus gave Himself in sacrifice on the Cross. This most powerful act of love brings eternal life to all who believe. This is represented in the image of our first reading. God is born of a woman and the birth conquers death. Eternal life is victorious over eternal damnation.

In our second reading, St Paul reminds us that Jesus Christ brings eternal life. Saint Paul reminds us of the great victory of Christ. “The last enemy to be destroyed his death “. St Paul reminds us of Jesus being raised from the dead. We may take this as a matter of fact and faith. We may consider it strange to need such a reminder of something that is at the core of our creed. However, St. Paul is pointing out the startling reality that this was absolutely unexpected. Jesus was crucified. Who would have expected the Resurrection? Certainly everyone would’ve said it would be not possible. And yet, recall the words of the angel Gabriel. “For nothing is impossible to God.”

In our Gospel today, we have Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth. Both women are pregnant. Elizabeth is pregnant with unborn son John the Baptist. Mary is pregnant with unborn son Jesus. It is remarkable that Elizabeth was able to conceive. Remember the words of the angel Gabriel to Mary, “And your cousin Elizabeth who she home people called barren is now in her sixth month” . This is what God does. He brings forth life from the barren place. God provides food and life-giving water in the desert for the Israelites. God brings forth human life and birth in the womb of those thought to be barren. In the Old Testament – Sara wife of Abraham, Rebecca wife of Isaac, and Rachel wife of Jacob were all thought to be barren. And yet all three women gave birth. All three women gave birth to a nation, the Jewish people

God brings forth life from the desert, from the barren womb, and from the tomb. In all these circumstances the people would have thought it impossible to find life. God does the impossible. He brings forth life. He brings forth eternal life.

In our daily living, do we have areas that we consider to be barren? What does our prayer life look like? Do we pray and conclude that our prayers go unheard and unanswered? Do we feel that there is something impossible in our life? In these moments do we turn to God?

Over and over we can look to the past experience of those who have come before us in both the Old and New Testament. Over and over God proves His love for us. He does the impossible. Let us open our hearts and our minds and follow the example of Mary. Amidst confusion we still say “yes “to God‘s plan. We still say “yes” to trusting God. It is this hopeful trust that allows us to participate in God‘s plan. We do not resist or thwart grace bestowed. I pray that each and everyone who has a personal struggle of any kind places it before God. The God who brings forth life. The God for whom nothing is impossible.

First Reading
Rev 12:1-6a, 10ab

A woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet.

A reading from the Book of Revelation

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
   with the moon under her feet,
   and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.
Then another sign appeared in the sky;
   it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,
   and on its heads were seven diadems.
Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky
   and hurled them down to the earth.
Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth,
   to devour her child when she gave birth.
She gave birth to a son, a male child,
   destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod.
Her child was caught up to God and his throne.
The woman herself fled into the desert
   where she had a place prepared by God.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
   “Now have salvation and power come,
   and the kingdom of our God
   and the authority of his Anointed One.”

---

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 45: 10, 11, 12, 16

R. :

R. (10bc) The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.

Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear,
   forget your people and your father’s house.

R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.

So shall the king desire your beauty;
   for he is your lord.

R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.

They are borne in with gladness and joy;
   they enter the palace of the king.

R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.

---

Second Reading
1 Cor 15:20-27

Christ, the firstfruits, then those who belong to him.

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead,
   the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through man,
   the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
For just as in Adam all die,
   so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
   but each one in proper order:
   Christ the firstfruits;
   then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
   then comes the end,
   when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father,
   when he has destroyed every sovereignty
   and every authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death,
   for “he subjected everything under his feet.”

---

Acclamation before the Gospel

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Mary is taken up to heaven;
a chorus of angels exults.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

---

Gospel
Lk 1:39-58

The Almighty has done great things for me: he has raised up the lowly.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Mary set out
   and traveled to the hill country in haste
   to a town of Judah,
   where she entered the house of Zechariah
   and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
   the infant leaped in her womb,
   and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
   cried out in a loud voice and said,
   “Blessed are you among women,
   and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
   that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
   the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
   that what was spoken to you by the Lord
   would be fulfilled.”

And Mary said:
   “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
   my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
   for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
   the Almighty has done great things for me,
   and holy is his Name.
   He has mercy on those who fear him
   in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
   he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
   and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
   and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
   for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
   the promise he made to our fathers,
   to Abraham and his children for ever.”

Mary remained with her about three months
   and then returned to her home.

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

Children need. Parents provide. This is such a basic equation. The younger the child, the greater the need. Any parent will tell you sacrifices made in order to care for the child. Parents sacrifice sleep, leisure activities, money, and many other things in order to place the needs of the child first. A good parent provides. A good parent nourishes.

It is no wonder that when Jesus was asked how to address God, how to pray, Jesus responded that we should call God “Our Father”. In our Gospel, Jesus repeatedly refers to God as Father.

This powerful image sets up a parallel understanding. The deep love from parent to child is but a glimpse of how much our God loves us. 

In our Scripture today we hear how God provides for the people. He nourishes them. He feeds them. They are crying out in hunger. However they are not newborn babes. The people are adults who are grumbling against God. They had just been freed from slavery in Egypt. As slaves they were crying out to be delivered. God hears their cries and provides for them. He provides a leader in the person of Moses and Aaron. And yet the people continue to grumble and complain. They actually insult God by questioning his plan and saying they were better off as slaves. God responds as a loving parent. He provides quail to eat in the evening and a form of bread to eat in the morning.

How interesting it is that the people don’t know what to do with the bread known as manna. They don’t even know that it is red. It is some thing they have never seen before. Moses has to explain to them that this is sustenance – that this will nourish them.

This really does seem to be like a relationship archetype, meaning a typical construct, a typical dynamic in our relationship with God throughout the Old Testament and New Testament. The people simply do not recognize how God is nourishing them.

In today’s Gospel, the people ask Jesus for a sign. They want to see some evidence of God in Him. How blind they are! They do not see God standing right before them and the person of Jesus. They harken back to the moment of manna in the desert provided by God. Jesus tells them that they have something greater that manner before them. He tells them that He is the Bread of Life.

It begs the question for us in our daily living, do we recognize how God nourishes us? Do we recognize how God provides for us? How much grumbling and complaining do we do against God? Or against others?

Jesus also instructs the people to work for things that do not perish. Do we pursue activities that have eternal worth? For those who have a profession to take acre of others, be assured that it is more than just a job. It is a way to provide God’s care to those in need. What you do has eternal worth.

In this next week let us have two spiritual goals each day. The first goal can be to simply identify, recognize, and give thanks for the way God has taken care of you in some form of blessing. The second spiritual goal is to decide what word or deed, what activity will you do that will have eternal worth? Perhaps you can encourage someone. Perhaps you can affirm someone. Perhaps you can thank someone. Perhaps you can express your love and care for someone. These are the things that have a eternal worth.

Together, let us receive the word of God. Let us be grateful for the love from our God. We are His children. He loves us. He provides for us. He is with us.

First Reading
Ex 16:2-4, 12-15

I will rain down bread from heven for you.

A reading from the Book of Exodus

The whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
The Israelites said to them,
   “Would that we had died at the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt,
   as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread!
But you had to lead us into this desert
   to make the whole community die of famine!”

Then the LORD said to Moses,
   “I will now rain down bread from heaven for you.
Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion;
   thus will I test them,
   to see whether they follow my instructions or not.

“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites.
Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh,
   and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread,
   so that you may know that I, the LORD, am your God.”

In the evening quail came up and covered the camp.
In the morning a dew lay all about the camp,
   and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desert
   were fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground.
On seeing it, the Israelites asked one another, “What is this?”
   for they did not know what it was.
But Moses told them,
   “This is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.”

---

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54

R. :

R. (24b) The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

What we have heard and know,
   and what our fathers have declared to us,
we will declare to the generation to come
   the glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength
   and the wonders that he wrought.

R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

He commanded the skies above
   and opened the doors of heaven;
he rained manna upon them for food
   and gave them heavenly bread.

R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

Man ate the bread of angels,
   food he sent them in abundance.
And he brought them to his holy land,
   to the mountains his right hand had won.

R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

---

Second Reading
Eph 4:17, 20-24

Put on the new self that has been created in God’s way.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians

Brothers and sisters:
I declare and testify in the Lord
   that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do,
   in the futility of their minds;
   that is not how you learned Christ,
   assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him,
   as truth is in Jesus,
   that you should put away the old self of your former way of life,
   corrupted through deceitful desires,
   and be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
   and put on the new self,
   created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.

---

Acclamation before the Gospel
Mt 4:4b

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.

---

Gospel
Jn 6:24-35

Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,
   they themselves got into boats
   and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
And when they found him across the sea they said to him,
   “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
Jesus answered them and said,
   “Amen, amen, I say to you,
   you are looking for me not because you saw signs
   but because you ate the loaves and were filled.
Do not work for food that perishes
   but for the food that endures for eternal life,
   which the Son of Man will give you.
For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”
So they said to him,
   “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
   “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”
So they said to him,
   “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you?
What can you do?
Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:
   He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
So Jesus said to them,
   “Amen, amen, I say to you,
   it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven;
   my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven
   and gives life to the world.”
So they said to him,
   “Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them,
   “I am the bread of life;
   whoever comes to me will never hunger,
   and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

In today’s Scripture we’re here from both the Old and New Testament that God feeds the people. On a very basic level this has meaning. And yet it goes beyond basic physical sustenance. There is a corporal, bodily element to it but this act has a deep spiritual aspect as well.

Think about how you are when you are hungry. Are you at your best? The answer is no. Our thinking starts to become impaired to a certain point. If we are hungry enough we can’t think clearly. We become very irritable. There is a modern phrase to explain this that “we are hangry”. That means that we are hungry and we are angry at the same time, Have you seen the clever Snickers candy bar commercial about this? “You’re just not yourself when you’re hungry.” So this is a common experience that we all know to certain degree. We have food, we eat, and we are made better

On a very basic level when God provides food to feed the people, the people are made better. The simple yet profound message is that God makes us better . It is important to note that in both circumstances – in the days of Elisha in the Old Testament and in the days of Jesus in the New Testament – both peoples did not expect God to be able to do this. Both peoples did not see how this would possibly happen. God exceeded their expectations in both circumstances. That says a lot for us in our own relationship with God. Do we doubt God? Do we somehow limit what God can do in our own minds? Are we open to God taking care of us?

Our psalm today, psalm 145 reminds us the hand of the Lord feeds us, He answers all our needs.

In my family I have a phrase that I use with my kids. I constantly say “food is love “. What I mean by this is that when we share food we share love. I will have good food and immediately one of the kids will appear out of nowhere and want to have whatever I am eating. And so I always share with them. This is especially true for my son Jude. I always give my food to Jude. Our one time family vacation to Universal studios in Florida, I gave almost my entire meal plan to my son. And we do the same in our families. Don’t we? We celebrate family gatherings with food. Whether it is around a campfire or a kitchen table we celebrate being together with food. Birthdays, anniversaries, graduation parties – all these moments are punctuated and celebrated with food. So think about that phrase. Food is love. It’s how we are cared for. And God feeds us.

No wonder that God chose food as the way he makes himself present in our world. He comes to us in the Eucharist. He comes to us in the form of food.

Let’s think about the words of Scripture today. St Paul reminds us that we are “to live in a manner worthy of our calling” So we not only receive, but we give. What are we called to give? The answer to that depends on each one of us. We each have different gifts to offer others. Think of yourself as the bread given by God to feed others. That’s an image of course. Some of you do this literally because of your job. However think of it on a spiritual level in terms of relationship.

How do you feed the soul of others? What is the “soul food” that you provide? Let me give you an example. You can feed another person’s soul by giving them encouragement. You can feed another person’s soul by giving them words of affirmation. You can feed another’s soul by giving them words of gratitude. You can feed another’s soul by giving them testimony to God‘s work in your life. You can feed another’s soul by telling them what makes them special. You can even feed another’s soul be bearing with them, (as St. Paul urges us to do in today’s second reading. He knows that at times being with others can be difficult).

Think of the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel. He wanted all the fragments collected so that “nothing will be wasted “. Now think of that applied to yourself and your gifts. He wants none of our gifts to be wasted. We are “to live according to the manner of our call”. We are all called to be ambassadors for Christ. We are all called to give what we have. What will you give to another today? Will it be patience? Will it be your attention? Will it be your encouragement? Will it be your gratitude? Will it be your love? Will it be your appreciation for who they are?

Today let us be open to how God feeds our soul. – how God takes care of us. And let us in turn not just receive but also give of ourselves to others. Provide the soul food that others so desperately need. And together with our God – let us feed and love one another.

First Reading
2 Kgs 4:42-44

They shall eat and there shall be some left over.

A reading from the second Book of Kings

A man came from Baal-shalishah bringing to Elisha, the man of God,
   twenty barley loaves made from the firstfruits,
   and fresh grain in the ear.
Elisha said, “Give it to the people to eat.”
But his servant objected,
   “How can I set this before a hundred people?”
Elisha insisted, “Give it to the people to eat.
For thus says the LORD,
   ‘They shall eat and there shall be some left over.’”
And when they had eaten, there was some left over,
   as the LORD had said.

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Responsorial Psalm
Ps 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18

R. :

R. (cf. 16) The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
   and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
   and speak of your might.

R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.

The eyes of all look hopefully to you,
   and you give them their food in due season;
you open your hand
   and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.

The LORD is just in all his ways
   and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
   to all who call upon him in truth.

R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.

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Second Reading
Eph 4:1-6

One body, one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians

Brothers and sisters:
I, a prisoner for the Lord,
   urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
   with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
   bearing with one another through love,
   striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace:
   one body and one Spirit,
   as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
   one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
   one God and Father of all,
   who is over all and through all and in all.

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Acclamation before the Gospel
Lk 7:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A great prophet has risen in our midst.
God has visted his people.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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Gospel
Jn 6:1-15

He distributed as much as they wanted to those who were reclining.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.
A large crowd followed him,
   because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.
Jesus went up on the mountain,
   and there he sat down with his disciples.
The Jewish feast of Passover was near.
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.”
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.
When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,
   “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.”
Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off
   to make him king,
   he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

In today’s Scripture we hear about the image of shepherd to help us understand our relationship with God. We do not need to be living 2000 years ago in a rural setting as Jews to understand the meaning. The very basic meaning of that relationship of shepherd to flock is one of care.

In our first reading today, we hear from the prophet Jeremiah. He speaks for God. He delivers God‘s message. It is a reprimand to the leaders of the Jewish people at the time. The leaders, the shepherds of the people, have not been taking care of people

We’re hear the famous Psalm 23 that says “the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”

Most of us are quite familiar with the words of this psalm. What does a good shepherd do? We know Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd.

We hear in Psalm 23 what a good shepherd does. A good shepherd “guides in right paths” – this means that the one who shepherds us – leads us guides us on the path of God. A good shepherd in our life does not simply allow us to do whatever we want, but rather guides us in the direction that is best for us – and that is planned by God.

We are told in Psalm 23 that “even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil”. A good shepherd gives courage. So someone who acts as a shepherd in our lives will be with us in dark days and help us face our fears. They will give us courage. Who does this for you? Who gives you courage during the day? Who helps you face your fears? Who walks with you in your dark moments just to be present to you?

In Psalm 23 we hear “you spread the table before me”. Who takes care of your basic needs? Who asks if you have eaten during the day? Who looks to take care of you?

In Psalm 23 we hear of the good shepherd “you anoint my head with oil” The shepherd would anoint the head of the sheep with oil to create a protective barrier against the biting gnats. So who helps you overcome things that pester you? Who helps you overcome anxieties and worries that you have? This is the one who acts as a shepherd in your life

Psalm 23 provides a blueprint for what a good shepherd does. We can first of all look at our lives and identify those helpers, friends, parents, coaches, priests, ministers, nurses, family members, who take care of us. These are the people who guide us along our way and walk on our life‘s journey. They look out for us. They care for us. My prayer is that you have many good shepherds in your life.

And then we can take on the role ourselves for others. Have you been a mentor, a teacher, a friend, a gentle guide to a special person in your life, to someone that you loved how much someone that you cared about?

Do we reach out to the Lord and ask Him to shepherd us? We do accept His teaching and guidance? Do we seek to understand His plan? Do we acknowledge that God knows what is best for us?

In Marks Gospel today we are presented with the compassion of Christ. We are told that Jesus looks at the crowds and his heart is moved with pity. This shows that God cares about us. Do we except this care? Do we look to God to be our shepherd. Do we reach out to the Lord to shepherd us? This is more than asking for his love. It is excepting the guidance and direction that comes with the laugh. It is an acknowledgment that we need to be moved according to his will and his plan. It is not free license to do as we choose in any situation or circumstance. It really is recognizing that God knows what is best for us and that we seek to understand and accept God‘s call and plan. 

Today let us identify and be grateful for the good shepherds in our lives. Let us look to the blueprint of Psalm 23 and strive and aspire to be good shepherds unto others. And finally – let us always reach out to the Lord and accept Him and truly allow Him to be the Shepherd of our lives.

First Reading
Jer 23:1-6

I will gather the remnant of my flock and appoint shepherds for them.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah

Woe to the shepherds
   who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture,
   says the LORD.
Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel,
   against the shepherds who shepherd my people:
   You have scattered my sheep and driven them away.
You have not cared for them,
   but I will take care to punish your evil deeds.
I myself will gather the remnant of my flock
   from all the lands to which I have driven them
   and bring them back to their meadow;
   there they shall increase and multiply.
I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them
   so that they need no longer fear and tremble;
   and none shall be missing, says the LORD.

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,
   when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;
as king he shall reign and govern wisely,
   he shall do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved,
   Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him:
   “The LORD our justice.”

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Responsorial Psalm
Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6

R. :

R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
   In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
   he refreshes my soul.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

He guides me in right paths
   for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
   I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
   that give me courage.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

You spread the table before me
   in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Only goodness and kindness follow me
   all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
   for years to come.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

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Second Reading
Eph 2:13-18

Christ is our peace who made both one.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians

Brothers and sisters:
In Christ Jesus you who once were far off
   have become near by the blood of Christ.

For he is our peace, he who made both one
   and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh,
   abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims,
   that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two,
   thus establishing peace,
   and might reconcile both with God,
   in one body, through the cross,
   putting that enmity to death by it.
He came and preached peace to you who were far off
   and peace to those who were near,
   for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

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Acclamation before the Gospel
Jn 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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Gospel
Mk 6:30-34

They were like sheep without a shepherd.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

The apostles gathered together with Jesus
   and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
   “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
People were coming and going in great numbers,
   and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
   and arrived at the place before them.

When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
   his heart was moved with pity for them,
   for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
   and he began to teach them many things.

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.