Remember the adage, “God helps those who help themselves?” Unfortunately, that phrase makes it sound like everything depends on us. God has given us natural abilities and talents to live and sustain ourselves. We must invest those talents and skills in others to grow God’s kingdom.
For the baptized, God raises us another notch. His Divine Providence places us in situations where we depend on him for everything. In the gospel, the disciples could not feed thousands of people with just a few fish and loaves of bread.
So, they gave Jesus the little they had to receive from His abundance. Of course, God still expects us to offer Him whatever we can do in any situation. His authority over everything can bring about miracles beyond what we could ever ask or imagine.
St. Paul states in the second letter to the Corinthians, “And so I willingly boast of my weaknesses instead, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
God can only bless our poverty when we are in need. The first beatitude is still relevant, “Blessed are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of God.” In an earlier reflection, you may remember me telling you how God fed 50 people each a bowl of soup with one ladle left in the pot. It kept filling up to the last person. That happened to me twice, feeding hungry people in Bradenton, Florida. I didn’t even ask Him to do it.
Gospel Challenge:
Think of the situation where you are over your head and can do nothing. Feel that sense of helplessness and offer it as a prayer to God. Trust Jesus to take care of everything.
February 13, 2025, Mark 7: 24-30 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021225.cfm Incognito? It is refreshing to go on vacation to a place where no one knows you; we call
February 12, 2025, Mark 7: 14-23 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021225.cfm Is That You? After someone confesses their sins in confession, I sometimes ask them, “Is that you? Do
February 10, 2025, Mark 6:53-56 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021025.cfm Presence – How We Protect Ourselves We dress for the occasion depending on what we are doing. For example,
February 11, 2025, Mark 7:1-13 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021125.cfm Hand-Me-Downs As I reflect on my own journey, I recall the excitement of wearing an old shirt my brother
Monday, 18th Week in Ordinary Time August 5, 2024
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Monday, 18th Week in Ordinary Time
August 5, 2024, Matthew 14:13-21
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080524.cfm
Give Them Something Yourselves?
Remember the adage, “God helps those who help themselves?” Unfortunately, that phrase makes it sound like everything depends on us. God has given us natural abilities and talents to live and sustain ourselves. We must invest those talents and skills in others to grow God’s kingdom.
For the baptized, God raises us another notch. His Divine Providence places us in situations where we depend on him for everything. In the gospel, the disciples could not feed thousands of people with just a few fish and loaves of bread.
So, they gave Jesus the little they had to receive from His abundance. Of course, God still expects us to offer Him whatever we can do in any situation. His authority over everything can bring about miracles beyond what we could ever ask or imagine.
St. Paul states in the second letter to the Corinthians, “And so I willingly boast of my weaknesses instead, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
God can only bless our poverty when we are in need. The first beatitude is still relevant, “Blessed are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of God.” In an earlier reflection, you may remember me telling you how God fed 50 people each a bowl of soup with one ladle left in the pot. It kept filling up to the last person. That happened to me twice, feeding hungry people in Bradenton, Florida. I didn’t even ask Him to do it.
Gospel Challenge:
Think of the situation where you are over your head and can do nothing. Feel that sense of helplessness and offer it as a prayer to God. Trust Jesus to take care of everything.
Peace everyone.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
pastor
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