"Beads of Joy" by RosaryManJim: Hope

BEADS OF JOY 12-05-18

“Hope – In God’s Mercy”

My Friends,

Today’s Gospel: Matthew 15:29-37 (Feeding of The 4,000)

“And Jesus went on from there and passed along the Sea of Galilee. And he went up on the mountain and sat down there. And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the dumb, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, so that the throng wondered, when they saw the dumb speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days, and have nothing to eat; and I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way." And the disciples said to him, "Where are we to get bread enough in the desert to feed so great a crowd?" And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves have you?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish." And commanding the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied; and they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over.”

Reflection:
The miracles keep coming, today we read about a miracle that blesses thousands, sharing in the Hope found in God’s abundance. I wonder, hmmm… Whenever you take a journey for a couple of days, a journey that you know will keep you away from your home or any place to get a drink or a snack, or a meal; would you pack a cooler or something? Well in today’s gospel we learn that 4,000 people didn’t plan for such a journey and Jesus was unwilling to just send them away hungry. He was concerned that in the journey home they might faint along the way. Jesus took what little they had, and He multiplied it to satisfy and encourage thousands. After you read today’s scripture, I think of one question, ok two questions, to ask to further show how generous God’s abundance really is.

I wonder: What amount of food satisfies your hunger pangs after 3 days of traveling on foot? That question comes to me from reading verse 37 in today’s gospel, “And they all ate and were satisfied; and they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over.” This question even furthers these thoughts to the next question: How much food does it take to feed and satisfy 4,000 people and still have left overs? I don’t know how many of you have had crowds over your home for a BBQ or a holiday celebration. It sure takes a lot of food to satisfy 20-30 or more people, you always Hope you have enough food, I can’t even imagine what amount of food (bread and fish) it would take to feed and satisfy 4,000 people. WOW. I write the number 4,000 out in numbers, because I think seeing the huge number is more powerful an impact then just reading it in words.

Jesus’ love and compassion for the crowd (for us) is incredible, but very expected, at least by me and I would guess by all of us. The disciples themselves hadn’t a clue what to do, they couldn’t see beyond themselves and their own ability to help the crowd. Jesus knew that even with just a little, even a very little amongst so many, is more than enough for Him to bless everyone.
Jesus really loves all of us, and meeting our needs is just as important to Him as it is to us… this miracle shows us that.

Jesus Heals Many People
Jesus Feeds Four Thousand

For Everyone
Doubting Themselves

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

Today is Wednesday: We pray the Glorious Mysteries:

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection (Faith) –Mark 16:1-8
2. The Ascension (Hope) –Luke 24:50-53
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Love) –Acts 2:1-4
4. Assumption of Mary.1 (A Happy Death) –Rev 12:1-6
5. Coronation of Mary (Mary’s intercession) –Judith 15:9-10

Glory and Honor and Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ!