The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 31, 2005
The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 55:1-3
Psalm 145:8-9, 15-18
Romans 8:35, 37-39
Matthew 14:13-21

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Sacrificial Love

John's life-long love for our Lord, from his joyful leaping in his mother's womb, graced exclamation, "Behold the Lamb of God”, cooperation in the Baptism of Jesus, and faithful announcing to souls, salvation at hand, surely drew a tender, sorrow in the heart of our Lord, when his death became known to Jesus.

Yet Jesus' compassion for the souls who seek Him, even as He seeks solitude when learning of John's death, echoes His comment "the foxes have lairs; there is no place for the Son of Man to rest His head." Truly, this One Who is sought, most compassionately gives Himself lovingly to all.

Jesus heals; He feeds with the Bread of His Word; He feeds with the blessed, broken loaves that prefigure His own sacrificial giving in the Eucharist. Jesus shows us that it is in dying to self and faithful trust in providence, that One is able to Love all who come to us as they need, and in abundance, with whatever one has to work with, even a few loaves and fishes and a sorrowed heart.

The abundance of Christ's love, like the abundance of bread remnants, continues to feed with His very self giving of eternal Life. Awe and gratitude fill the soul at His vastly tender BeLoving for each who seek His healing, His Word, His providential care.

O Lord,
may each who come to You be fed,
in turn feed others with You,
Who are our Bread of Life.
Amen.

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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