Jesus provides what we want AND need! What a comfort it was to read the Gospel this morning. It was especially comforting as I prepared to sit before the tabernacle with a special intention! Here’s what it says:
Matthew 15:29-37
Moving on from there Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.
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 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.
They placed them at his feet
“They placed them at His feet and He cured them.” THAT, my friends, brought me comfort this morning. I promised my friend that I would place her prayer intention in my heart and sit before the tabernacle this morning for that special intention. I, in a sense, am placing it at the feet of Jesus and to read this passage this morning brought tears to my eyes. I hope it brings you comfort too YP!
We often hear that sometimes our prayers aren’t answered as we wish and that we have to trust that what God has planned is better than we could ever imagine. While I believe that to be true, I also believe that we have to firmly believe in miracles. Our God is a God of miracles. Nothing is impossible with Him. So when we are met with a situation that seems defeating against all odds, THAT’s when we truly have to believe that our God is who we claim He is. THAT’s when we have to believe that He is capable of performing a miracle on our behalf!
my experience
I know this from experience. My 83 year old dad had liver cancer surgery last year. The doctors tried to convince him that the surgery was risky and expressed concerns about his heart health, his diabetes and all kinds of negative statistics. But he wanted the cancer OUT! So he made the decision to move forward with surgery. I can’t tell you how many people were praying for that old man (laugh out loud) but it was powerful and he defied the odds! Thanks be to God!
My brother (I’ve written about this before – see here) was placed in an induced coma after having suffered complications from hernia surgery. Who could have known? I had a choice to make – go stand at his bedside or continue to Canada on a pilgrimage that would span several days. Several days of heartfelt prayer. I chose Canada! Another powerful experience. I was steeped in prayer for the entire time. Always carrying my brother and his intentions in my heart. By the end of my retreat, my brother was back! Thanks be to God!
Prayer works, intention is powerful and believing in miracles is a necessity if we are going to receive what we want from Christ! Ask and you will receive.
the feeding
As I read the second portion of the Gospel and how Jesus took the bread and broke it, I was reminded of the last supper. This portion of the Gospel spoke to the disciple in me. We are called to share our faith with others, to share our joy in Jesus Christ. We are nourished through the Eucharist. Not only do we become what we receive, but it gives us the strength we need to live a Gospel life.
The feeding should remind us that our God is not a God of scarcity, He is a God of abundance. He gives us what we want AND need. So when you approach Him in prayer, approach Him with the knowledge that there is more than enough to go around. Approach Him with confidence that He is going to give you not only what you want, but also what you need!
God bless you!
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