Day: August 1, 2020

MATTHEW 14:13-21 Jesus is the healing and energy icons

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 14:13-31 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION ( August 2, 2020)

When Jesus heard of it, he set out by boat for a secluded place, to be alone. But the people heard of it, and they followed him on foot from their towns. When Jesus went ashore, he saw the crowd gathered there, and he had compassion on them. And he healed their sick. 

Late in the afternoon, his disciples came to him and said, “We are in a lonely place  and it is now late. You should send these people away, so that they can go to the villages and buy something to eat.”  They answered, “ We have nothing here but five loaves and two fishes.” 

Jesus said to them, “Bring them here to me.” Then he made everyone sit down  on the grass. He took the five loaves, and handed them to the disciple to distribute to the people. And they all ate, and everyone had enough; then the disciples gathered up the leftovers, filling twelve baskets. About five thousand men had eaten there, besides women and children. 

POINTS OF REFLECTION

This Bible reading points out two important facts of life which is “the compassion of Christ and healing of the sick and the miraculous multiplication the bread and a fish”

“The compassion of Christ and healing of the sick” is a tell of reality that all in the shadow of this world are sick. We are all dying in spirit and that the need of healing is immediate, as can be seen by the effort of the people who follow Jesus in the secluded place. But because of their faith unto Jesus, He offered in return by healing of the sick not limited to  the physically but included as well the healing of the spirit. 

On the other hand, the miraculous multiplication of the bread and the fish for the crowd is not an ordinary means of crisis intervention instead more of sustaining the people’s energy and enthusiasm to keep oneself to Jesus. It is also a clear message that God is abundant  and there is no need for us to worry if we are with Him. God is very much willing to supply all our needs (“not wants and  excesses) for satisfaction. Always remember God has all the reserves for you.

Brothers and sisters, Jesus is our healing icon and the energy to sustain different trials, problems and challenges waiting ahead of us. 

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MATTHEW 14:1-12 “Be-careful! Pride is an Evil Inside”

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 14:1-12 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION ( August 1, 2020)

At that time the reports about Jesus reached king Herod. And he said to his servants, “ This man is Johns the Baptist. John has risen from the dead. that is why miraculous powers are at work in John.” Herod had in fact ordered that John be arrested, bound in chains and put in prison, because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. For John had said to Herod, “ It is not right for you to have her as your wife.”  Herod wanted to kill him but he did not dare, because he feared the people,  who regarded John as the prophet. On Herod’s birthday the  daughter of Herodias  danced among the guests; she so delighted Herod that he promised under oath to give her anything she asked for. Her girl,  following the advice of her mother, said, “ Give me the head of John the Baptist, here,  on a dish.” The King was  very displeased, but because he had made his promise oath, in the presence of the guests,  he ordered it to be given to her. So he had John beheaded in prison,  and his head brought on a dish and given to the girl. The girl then took it to her mother. Then John’s disciples came, took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. 

POINTS OF REFLECTION

Promise is an advocate of pride. Pride is regarded as the evil inside a human person. It is where the battle of life begins, inside ourselves. Herod from the very start is struggling fighting close to his own lust with Herodias. John’s presence in the life of Herod was a blessing shedding light to him on what is good or bad.  John mitigated the impact of evil into the life of Herod but the Daughter of Herodias became Herod’s destruction by eliminating John the Baptist to further the interest of  her mother and give way to Herod’s perdition. 

Brothers and sisters, pride is the darkest side of a human person. It is always  in association with a promise from which many become a victim.  We need to be extra careful about these things that might curse you into hell. 

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