Monday, 18th Week in Ordinary Time August 5, 2024

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@bscchurch.com