Weeks 791-800
 

Oratory of Divine Love Reflection 793: In Pursuit of God’s Will (Isaiah 56 : 1, 6-7 ;  Romans 11: 13-15, 29-32 ; Mathew 15 : 21-28)

 

[Isaiah]

Thus says the LORD: Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed. The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, ministering to him, loving the name of the LORD,
and becoming his servants—all who keep the sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

         

[Romans]

Brothers and sisters: I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. 
Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all.

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[Matthew]

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus' disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us." He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He said in reply, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour.

 

Reflection

 

Fellow pilgrims, through the dramatic healing of the Canaanite woman’s daughter (Mt 15:21-28), the gospel reminds us that God’s love, healing, blessing, and salvation is universal. God's favorite is anyone whether Greek or Jew or Gentile, who does His will. Jesus expressed this truth in many places, like when he stretched out his hand towards his followers and declared: “...who ever does the will of my Father is my brother, my sister and my mother” (Matt 12:50). This means that all peoples and all nations are invited to become true members of God’s household, by accepting and living according to what God has willed for human beings. For, although he endowed us with the gift of human freedom, we cannot abuse this freedom by choosing to become something else from our own created identity as human beings, against the will of the Creator- God. And this will of God is discoverable in one’s persistent search for meaning in life, while respecting the limited boundaries placed by the Creator for our own good and sanctification. He freely loved us and he freely and gratuitously distributes his gifts uniquely to each person; a truth that humbles us, makes us conscious of our unworthiness, and presses us to serve the purposes of God’s kingdom without excluding anyone. This universality was clear to the Canaanite woman, and it motivated her determination in the search and pursuit of what she needed– the healing for her daughter.

 

Now, the universality of God’s boundless love seen in the gospel is also evident in the invitation to all nations to God’s kingdom as prophesied in the 1st reading. Here, we read that foreigners are welcomed in the Temple and could even offer sacrifices there (Isa 56: 6-7). This is a radical prophesy that is appreciated if were call the arrangement of worshippers within the Jewish Temple of Herod; where there was the court of the priests (the innermost), followed by the court of the Jews (men), followed by the court of the Women, and finally the outermost court which was the court of the gentiles (all non-Jews), who were forbidden to enter beyond this outermost court under the pain of death. This serious arrangements and perspective explain why the unique drama in the gospel took place. Jesus seemingly being unsympathetic by referring to the food given to dogs, was to help in still the newness of his teaching about those the apostles might see as gentiles and women. It reflected the true meaning of the prophet’s word that God's house would be the house of prayer for all people; and faith in God would be a saving grace for all who manifest it (Isa 56: 7). So, unlike the chosen people of God whom St Paul lamented in the 2nd reading, that they rejected Jesus as their messiah and savior (Rom 11:13-15; 30), any member of the new people of God (Isa 56: 6) must manifest obedience to God (Rom 11: 29-32) and a persistent trust in the Lord, his power and his love. Thus, from whichever nations they come from, these virtues are required of the new people of God, as the Canaanite women manifested to receive healing for her daughter, because Jesus does not refuse faith wherever he finds it. Paul said: “Now I am speaking to you Gentiles…as I am the apostle to the Gentiles…For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all” (Rom 11: 13-15; 30-32). In other words, for everyone, to be part of God’s family, one’s obedience to God’s will is paramount, just as Jesus was obedient to the Father’s will, even unto death (Phil 2: 6-11). Also, to be part of God’s family, persistent faith and trust in God is paramount, as seen in the gospel with the persevering faith of a Canaanite woman (Matt 15: 21-28; see other examples in Matt 8:5-13; Matt 9: 18-22; Jn 4: 46-54). In other words, Christians, who are the new people of God, must obey God and professes their faith in Jesus Christ in a consistent manner by the way they live out this faith. This will ensure for each Christian the kind of total healing experienced by the Canaanite woman and her daughter (physical and spiritual); for God’s healing is for all who believes in him and does his will. Peace!

 

Fr. Francis Chukwuma

 

Prayer: “Lord of all wisdom, grant me the discernment to understand Your purpose for my life. As I journey through decisions, let my heart be open to Your voice. Strengthen my resolve to follow where You lead, even when the path seems unclear. In Your hands, I rest my trust, knowing You will guide me always.”

Quote from a Saint: “Lord what wilt Thou have me do? Behold the true sign of a totally perfect soul: when one has reached the point of giving up his will so completely that he no longer seeks , expects or desires to do ought but that which God wills.”--St. Bernard

 

Questions for reflection:

1. What is your gut reaction to hearing that God’s “favorite” is anyone who does His will regardless of nationality or religion?

2. Have you found the will of God through your persistent search for the meaning of life?

3. How often do you pray for those who are outside of Christianity-- that they may find the will of God through their persistent search for the meaning of life?

4. Do you regularly pray for the reunification of all Christians?

5. How obedient to God are you? Do you make an attempt to avoid venial sins as well as mortal?

6. Would people know that you are a Christian by how you live your life? Do you say grace before your meals in public or amongst coworkers?

7. Have you ever sought healing from the Lord and found it? If so, how did it affect your faith?

8. Have you ever sought healing from the Lord and have it not happen?

-Benjamin and Kristen Rinaldo, CfP

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Oratory of Divine Love Reflection 792: Faith  (1 Kings 19 : 9a, 11-13a ;  Romans 9: 1-5 ; Mathew 14 : 22-33)

 

[1 Kings]

At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. Then the LORD said to him, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD— but the LORD was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake— but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire— but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.

         

[Romans]

Brothers and sisters: I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

 

[Matthew]

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

 

Reflection

 

Fellow pilgrims, the gospel speaks of trust and faith in Jesus. As we recall, the incident there (Matt 14: 22-33), followed the feeding of the 5000 men we read about last Sunday (Matt 14: 13-21), one would assume Peter’s full confidence in Jesus' invitation to walk on the water, having experienced that miracle. But this was not the case, for Peter’s faith failed and he doubted Jesus’ words, which led him to starts sinking into the water. So, we are invited to faith in Jesus who not only multiplied the loaves and fish but also came to his disciples’ assistance when their boat was tossing about in the storm. This faith is seen as: “…the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). Here, one is sure and certain of the things one hoped for and yet cannot see.

 

Now, many do manifest great faith in God’s power, but, like Peter, we start off on our faith journey with great energy and confidence, but sometimes our expectations are not met; especially when we encounter bad things in our life or in the life of our friends or family. Peter experienced the turmoil of the waves and the vastness of the water, which pointed to the waves of violence, trials, injustice, hunger, loss of the sense of the sacredness of life, etc., that boils up and buffets our lives in today’s world. These experiences cast shadows of doubt and encourage fear, as to God’s presence and power to protect and save us. Also, as Peter might have felt, we too have our own preconceived ideas about how things should be, how God should act, who God should bless, how holy people should act, etc.; after all, a man is not supposed to walk on water except when it is frozen. So, such preconceived ideas of how things should be, constrict our thinking and promote our doubts even after we have encountered God’s power at work in varied unconventional ways. Thus, the 1st reading tells us that even in the small and gentle breezes of our everyday life and acts, God still speaks to us about his love for us and his power to protect and save us, as he manifested to Elijah after his contest with the 450 prophets of Baal, and Queen Jezebel swore to kill him (1kg 19: 1-13). Elijah’s encounter with God at Horeb reminds us that far from being absent at the time of trials in the seeming silence we feel at those times, silence is the place of God’s presence as well as the place of encounter with God. As it is, God loves us so much and wishes to express this to us where the noise of the world, noise of our worries, noise of our fears, and noise of the storms are absent; hence he encounters us in the silence of our hearts if we believe and trust him. Thus, Paul, who was amazed and frustrated by the unbelief of the Jews in spite of all that God revealed and did for them, says that God cares so much for his people whom he had made a covenant with; if they trust and worship him, they will always receive his promises (Rom 9: 1-5).

 

Again, God cares for his family, and we all belong in it, since we were born into God’s family through baptism; having professed our faith in the Trinity through our parents and godparents and having renewed this faith at special times in the liturgy. Now, we note that by asking Peter to come to him on the water when Peter asked (Mt 14: 28-29), Jesus is also reminding him and us that he has shared his power with us who believe in him (cf. Mk 16: 17-18). Thus, as disciples of today, we are reminded that through our baptism we also share in Jesus’ power in building the kingdom of God and spreading the joy of the gospel, which should encourage our faith and trust in God who cares for those who believe and trust in him. Through our baptism which expresses our faith in God, we are able to come out of our caves of fear and tiredness, and continue on our mission of spreading the gospel, just as Elijah, after his encounter and experience of God, was able to trust more, to come out of the cave at Mount Horeb, and continue on his journey to fulfill God’s directives (1 Kg 19: 13-21). So, we must trust that Jesus is always ready to help our little faith and extend a helping hand to us when we call out to him in prayers as Peter did (Matt 14: 30-31; cf. Matt 11: 28;  Lk 17: 5). Otherwise, our mission as well as our personal spiritual wellbeing could be jeopardized due to our doubt of God and his power. St James would say that we prevent our prayer from being effective by lack of faith (Jam 1:6-8). And we read also that due to his people’s lack of faith, Jesus did not work many miracles in his native place (Matt 13: 33). Peace!

 

Fr. Francis Chukwuma

 

Prayer: “Lord, I believe: I wish to believe in Thee. Lord, let my faith be full and unreserved, and let it penetrate my thought, my way of judging Divine things and human things. Lord, let my faith be joyful and give peace and gladness to my spirit, and dispose it for prayer with God and conversation with men, so that the inner bliss of its fortunate possession may shine forth in sacred and secular conversation. Lord, let my faith be humble and not presume to be based on the experience of my thought and of my feeling; but let it surrender to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, and not have any better guarantee than in docility to Tradition and to the authority of the magisterium of the Holy Church. Amen.”

Quote from a Saint: “I shall remember how Saint Peter at a blast of wind began to sink because of his lack of faith, and I shall do as he did: call upon Christ and pray to him for help. And then I trust he shall place his holy hand on me and in the stormy seas hold me up from drowning.”-- St. Thomas More

 

Questions for reflection:

1. How trusting are you in Jesus? When things take a turn for the worse do you trust that Jesus is with you and will see you through according to God’s plan?

2. How strong is your faith? Do you find that it is easily swayed by the ways of the world?

3. Have you encountered someone who was new to the faith and was full of energy and enthusiasm only to not have their expectations met? What did that person do? Did they remain faithful or let it drive them away?

4. Have you let the bad things that you see in the world sway you in your belief in the power and faithfulness of God? How have you reconciled what you see with your faith in God?

5. Do you ever start sinking in doubt like Peter even though Jesus has proven his power and faithfulness?

6. When you start sinking into doubt, do you pray for faithfulness to bolster you?

7. Have you experienced the Lord sharing His power with you? What did that look like?

8. Have you ever felt as though your prayer was ineffective because of your lack of faith?

-Benjamin and Kristen Rinaldo, CfP

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Oratory of Divine Love Reflection 791: The Lord’s Pity (Isaiah 55 : 1-3 ;  Psalm 145 : 8-9, 15-18 ; Romans 8: 35, 37-39 ; Mathew 114 : 13-21)

 

[Isaiah]

Thus says the LORD: All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; Come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare.
Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David.

 

[Psalm 145]

R. (cf. 16) The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. The LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his works. The eyes of all look hopefully to you, and you give them their food in due season; you open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The LORD is just in all his ways and holy in all his works. The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.    

 

[Romans]

Brothers and sisters: What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

[Matthew]

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over— twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

 

Reflection

 

Fellow pilgrims, we read of God’s powerful compassion, and generous providence for all. In the first reading God invites us to come to be fed with bread and to quench our thirst: “All you who are thirsty come to the water… Come, buy grain without money, wine and milk without cost… Pay attention on and come to me; listen, that you may have life…” (Isa 55:1-3).  The psalm also affirms God’s graciousness, mercifulness, compassion and goodness to all his works, for he feeds and answers all our needs (Ps145). And this reality of God’s power was manifested in the gospel by Jesus the Son of God, who fed the crowd with five loaves and two fish (Ma 14:13-21).

 

Now, from the readings, Jesus’ compassion for his followers talks to us. We read that his heart was moved with pity for the crowd when he saw their manifested faith in seeking him out due to their varied needs (Ma 14:14). This is not just a feeling of sadness and sorrow but a deeply intense emotional state that manifested in an active response to the harassed, burdened and wearied looking crowd that followed him, as they looked like sheep without shepherd. This is an example and reminder to the Church and to us as we still encounter Jesus’ wearied flock in their trials.

 

Also, the universal aspect of Jesus’ compassion and love as he fed the crowd is seen. Just as the prophet invited all to enter into a new covenant of love, symbolized in the abundance of food and drink (Isa55:1-3), in the sense of the covenant banquet (Ex24:911) that was extended beyond the house of David (2 Sam7), so also Jesus compassion and feeding of the crowds showed God’s universal care and sustenance of all. The Psalm

says: “The Lord is good to all, compassionate to all his works” (Ps 145:9). Now, this reminds us that our active love, kindness and compassion is not reserved to only our family and the people we know. Jesus could have fed the apostles and dismiss the crowds especially as there were only a few fish and bread, but he chose to feed all, even those who did not believe, and those in the crowd that only wanted to find fault with him. As it is, God’s love and blessings is for all and nothing can separate us from it (Rom 8: 35, 37-39).

 

It is also noteworthy that Jesus asked the apostles to give the people something to eat in spite of the fact that they had only five loaves and two fish. This was because Jesus wanted them and us to be part of the circle of goodness and self-giving love with God; for he blesses and gifts us, for us to bless and gift others. Also, Jesus wanted the apostles and us to remember that each of us can still give something to another from our own little gifts of time, talent and treasure. And the little we give can extend continuously to unimaginable extent, just as the five loaves and two fish extended to feed about five thousand men apart from women and children. And our goodness and kindness can even grow to benefit future generations symbolized in the 12 baskets collected as the next day’s food/meal.

 

Now, although the reading may seem to be focused on material food, we can also observe that what God gives us is more than the material food. Hence, the psalm says: “…he answers all our needs” (Ps 145). This was also pointed to in the Alleluia verse: that man does not live on bread alone but from every word that come forth from the mouth of God (Ma 4:4; Deut. 8:3). Thus, the readings inform us that God feeds us with the important things we need especially for our spiritual growth and for our continued relationship of love. Unfortunately, sometimes we refuse to harken to the invitation to the new covenant of love, where we are fed with all we need as we also assist others. The 2nd reading asks us today, what can afflict, challenge, and prevent us from the love of God (Rom 8: 35, 37-39). The assurance here is that the love of God, our belief in it, and acceptance of this love will provide for us and keep us focused on loving acts. Peace

 

Fr. Francis Chukwuma

 

Prayer: “Father, your truth is made known in your Word. Guide us to seek the truth of the human person. Teach us the way to love because you are Love. Jesus, you embody Love and Truth. Help us to recognize your face in the poor. Enable us to live out our vocation to bring love and justice to your people. Holy Spirit, you inspire us to transform our world. Empower us to seek the common good for all persons. Give us a spirit of solidarity and make us one human family. Amen.”

 
Quote from a Saint: “Extend your mercy towards others, so that there can be no one in need whom you meet without helping. For what hope is there for us if God should withdraw His mercy from us?”-- St. Vincent de Paul

 

Questions for reflection:

1. Has your heart ever been moved with pity like Christ’s was for the crowd? If it has, what were the circumstances?

2. Has there ever been a time in your life when the Lord looked on you with pity? If so, reflect on how He reached out to you.

3. Do you try to imitate the Lord’s pity when you reach out to those who are in need?

4. Have you ever prayed for the Lord to let you see others as He sees them?

5. Has anything ever separated you from the Lord?

6. How do you give “from your own little gifts of time, talent and treasure”?

7. Have you ever volunteered at a soup kitchen or another food-based ministry?

8. Do you reach out to all indiscriminately or to just those in your circle?

-Benjamin and Kristen Rinaldo, CfP

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