PRAYER MOMENT
Monday
4 August 2014, St John Vianney
GIVE
THEM SOMETHING
Pause. Be still in the presence of God.
Reading: “There is no need for them
to go; give them something to eat yourselves.” (Matt 14:13-21)
Reflection. We read Sunday’s gospel
again and ponder further the sign that Jesus gave. A sign is different from an explanation
which describes an event fully, like, “Jesus boiled some water and had a cup of
tea.” That is clear enough. But “Jesus raised his eyes to heaven, said the blessing,
broke the bread and hand it to the disciples who distributed it,” is far more
than an explanation. It points way beyond the simple action of taking bread and
giving it out. It has layers of meaning that is only revealed by taking time in
reflection and owning the words. It opens out to the Eucharist, the sharing in
Jesus’ own life, death and resurrection. And it opens out into the “messianic banquet”
which is our poor way of talking about life with God forever. Today also we
remember John Vianney who struggled to get through the studies to become a
priest and spent 40 years in a poor parish in France sometimes spending 14
hours a day hearing confessions.
Prayer. Lord Jesus, help us to
cherish the words and actions you left
with us in our scriptures. Help us to ponder and draw out the treasures hidden
there. Amen..
David Harold-Barry SJ
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