Gospel: Luke 9:11b-17
Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God, and he healed those
who needed to be cured. As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve
approached him and said, "Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the
surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a
deserted place here." He said to them, "Give them some food yourselves."
They replied, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we
ourselves go and buy food for all these people." Now the men there
numbered about five thousand. Then he said to his disciples, "Have them
sit down in groups of about fifty." They did so and made them all sit
down. Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,
he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to
set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover
fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.
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Reflection:
What would happen when we become very familiar already with a person who
is special to us?
When we are familiar already with a person who is special to us the tendency
for us is to eventually look at that special person as ordinary. For example,
during courtship the future spouse would be treated specially by the man or
woman. They would exchange countless
gifts between them. Then, they eventually marry and after many years of being
married. The special treatment would somehow become ordinary for many couples. Why? Because they’ve
both grown too familiar with each other.
Perhaps, the twelve apostles were already too familiar with Jesus. They’ve been
with Him for almost three years day in and day out. They’ve been witnessing
left and right miracles from Him and slowly witnessing miracles became an
ordinary occurrence for them.
That’s why as the day was drawing to a close. The apostles approached
Jesus and said, “Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding
villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted
place here (Luke 9:12).”
Because of their familiarity with Jesus they forgot that Jesus can easily
feed the crowd that was following them. They all of a sudden forgot the many
miracles of Jesus. The spark in their eyes was unexpectedly gone all because of
their familiarity.
There are times that this happens to us too! We seem to be familiar with
Jesus already that He becomes an ordinary person to us. We forget that He is
very much capable of making miracles in our life. We forget that His Body and
Blood are always there for us to partake during Holy Mass. We forget that the
same Body and Blood of Jesus can always infuse vigor and life to our weary
lives.
Whenever we go to Holy Mass and receive Jesus’ Body and Blood during Holy
Communion. It is always an assurance that Jesus is always there for us. Ever
ready to reinvigorate our tired bodies and spirits. Ever ready to infuse
vitality, freshness and life to our drained minds.
Are you feeling tired and weary caused by the many challenges that you’ve
been facing lately? Why not attend Holy Mass and let the Body and Blood of
Jesus strengthen you? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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