August 8, 2012 – Jeremiah 31:1-7 – The Joyful Return of the Exiles

Thus says the Lord,  The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you…..For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.”

Father Michael Coutts said that the first reading of Jeremiah is about great hope and optimism. It focused on people close to God who worked hard and tend to be overlooked. Jesus’ message is ‘I will love you with everlasting love.” He is the God of mercy and compassion. 

St. Dominic

Today is the feast of St. Dominic of Spain who lived during the time of slavery in 1170.  He has great love for his faith. He founded  the Order of Preachers  or the convent of Dominicans. Their motto is to strengthen the faith and to fight the heresy -  "our body is a source of evil and sin". He also shared his gift of rosary with his devotion to Mary. Let us pray to St. Dominic to continue his morality and his faith.

August 7, 2012 - Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22 / Matthew 14: 22-36

Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22 – Restoration Promised for Israel and Judah

For thus says the Lord: Your hurt is incurable, your wound is grievous. There is no one to uphold your cause, no medicine for your wound, no healing for you. All your lovers have forgotten you; they care nothing for you; for I have dealt you the blow of an enemy, the punishment of a merciless foe, because your guilt is great, because your sins are so numerous. Why do you cry out over your hurt? Your pain is incurable. Because your guilt is great, because your sins are so numerous, I have done these things to you.

Matthew 14: 22-36 – Jesus Walks on the Water

Peter answered him, “Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he notices the strong wind, he became frightened and begging to sink, she cried out, “Lord save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand, and caught him saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying ‘Truly you are the Son of God.”

Father John Bertao mentioned in his reflection that there are days when we are edgy so we travel in our mind to find a place of peace and tranquility where there is no feeling of fear. In the readings of Jeremiah, we find that the old world was living on the edge of disaster and distress. However, we find Jesus saving Peter despite his frailty in the gospel of Matthew, which gives us hope. Beyond disasters and storms we encounter in our lives, we shall be at peace one day in God’s kingdom. Turbulence inside of us can cause us to fear and fall into sin. Let us continue to find peace and tranquility in the Eucharist in order to receive nourishment from God.

August 6, 2012 – Daniel 7:9-10; 13-14 – Visions of the Four Beasts - Judgement before the Ancient One

As I watched, throne were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool: his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and flowed out for his presence. A thousand thousand served him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court said in judgment, and the books were opened. 

As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven, and he came to the ancient one and was presented before him. To him was given dominion, glory, and kingship that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. 

Transfiguration

Last August 6, 2012, a CIVIC Holiday in Canada, we celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The transfiguration is one of the greatest miracle that happened to Jesus himself when he transfigured and became radiant upon a mountain. When Jesus went to a mountain with three apostles, he shined with bright rays of light. Then, prophets Moses and Elijah appeared next to him and  talked to them.

August 5, 2012 – John 6:24-35 - The Bread from Heaven

Holy Communion

Jesus  answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which is the son of man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal. Then they said to him, “What we must do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent. So they said to him, What sign are you going to give us then so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestor’s ate the manna in the wilderness as it is written. He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. They said to him, “Sir give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”