February 18, 2014 My Tuesday Daily Blessings Be still, quiet your heart and mind, the Lord is here, loving you, talking to you............. Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time (Roman Rite Calendar) First Reading: Jas 1:12-18 Blessed is he who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proven he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him. No one experiencing temptation should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is tempted when lured and enticed by his desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my beloved 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 first fruits of his creatures. Responsorial Psalm: R. (12a) Blessed the man you instruct, O Lord. Blessed the man whom you instruct, O LORD, whom by your law you teach, Giving him rest from evil days. R. Blessed the man you instruct, O Lord. For the LORD will not cast off his people, nor abandon his inheritance; But judgment shall again be with justice, and all the upright of heart shall follow it. R. Blessed the man you instruct, O Lord. When I say, “My foot is slipping,” your mercy, O LORD, sustains me; When cares abound within me, your comfort gladdens my soul. R. Blessed the man you instruct, O Lord. Gospel: Mk 8:14-21 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” They concluded among themselves thatit was because they had no bread. When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?” They answered him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” **Meditation:< /b> What do you do when you come to the end of your resources – when you feel inadequate, shorthanded, or empty? Do you wring your hands, complain, fret, and give in to worry, fear, and despair? Mark tells us that the apostles set off in their boat across the Sea of Galilee only to discover that they forgot to bring enough food for their journey. What were they to do miles away from land and any place where they could buy food and supplies? They were anxious of course, and this was right after Jesus had performed the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes where the disciples fed more than four thousand people (Mark 8:1-9). Jesus knew the trouble in his disciples hearts even before they could speak. Jesus dealt with their anxiety by first warning them to not fear what can harm the body rather than what can destroy the very heart and soul of their being. Jesus cautioned the disciples to beware of the bread that corrupts and leads to death, such as the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. Our daily bread is whatever nourishes us, not just physically, but spiritually, intellectually, and morally as well. Why did Jesus tell his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod? To the Jew leaven was a sign of evil. It was a piece of dough left-over from a previous baking. In due course it fermented and this fermented dough became leaven. Fermentation was associated with decomposing rot. Jesus warned his disciples to avoid the evil influence of the Pharisees and of Herod who sought their own counsels rather than the will of God. As the apostles continued to worry about their lack of bread, Jesus reminded them of his miraculous provision of bread in the feeding of the four thousand. He then upbraided them for their lack of trust in God. Do you not yet understand? Its easy to get preoccupied with the problems and needs of the present moment and to forget the most important reality of all – Gods abiding presence with us and his abundant provision for our lives as well. Do you pray with joyful confidence, Father, give us this day our daily bread? **Prayer: Lord Jesus, you alone can sustain me with your life-giving Word and Spirit. Give me joy and strength to serve you always and help me to turn away from the leaven of sin and worldliness which brings corruption and death. Amen. Today a very special prayer request for Elizabeth Mateos complete healing & a speedy recovery from stroke, our dear sweet prayer partner Elena Mabulay Riveras sister. For a very special prayer intention of healing by Maria Elena Oheida. For the 40th day death anniversary of dear Dan. May You grant dear Brenda Jacot-Murphy continued grace of strength & solace in spite the great loss & pain. & likewise to all who mourn & lost their loved ones. Grant them all courage & strength. For all the poor souls in purgatory. Tony Rivera, & those who have no one to pray for them. May all their souls rest in peace. Grant the families left behind all the strength that they need at this time, especially Corazon Uraya, Carmencita Rivera. For all whom we pray for daily. For Gods healing Hand to be upon us all. And we come before you dear Lord with a grateful heart overflowing with gratitude. For a successful surgery of Marie Cruz. BJ Calo now out of the hospital, thank You Lord! For Jon Marks doctors visit for evaluation. And all those whom we pray for, pray with daily. We ask for YOUR HOLY BLESSINGS UPON EACH & EVERYONE OF US & MOST ESPECIALLY OF THOSE WHOM WE BRING TO YOU IN PRAYER FOR YOUR MOST DIVINE TOUCH OF A MIRACULOUS HEALING! Thank You Father for an answered prayer of dear Josie who will soon be going on a family cruise. Keep them safe & bless them with a fine & enjoyable quality time together as a family. Thank You Father for having completed the 9 days novena to the Divine Mercy. Glory & praise to our God for the blessings of prayer. The 9 days went by so fast. We truly experienced Your Most Holy Presence amidst us. Thank You Thank You Lord! May we all greet this day with Gods love & peace in all our hearts!
Posted on: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 13:11:10 +0000