Today’s Readings: Numbers 11:4
Psalm 81:12-17
Matthew 14:13-21
You may ask yourself, “What does a poor friar know about wealth?” When we hear “wealth”, we often think of money, power, and influence. There is a wealth that neither money, power nor influence can buy. That wealth that is being referred to is contentment. This is a virtue that God gives to those who depend on Him for their sustenance. Contentment turns mere mortals into angels. Discontentment, however, turns mortals into beasts. A contented person trusts in God’s protection and provision. Such a person is the wealthiest person alive.
The Israelites in the desert lacked contentment. They expressed their dissatisfaction with God when they said, "Think of the fish we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic! Here we are wasting away, stripped of everything; there is nothing but manna for us to look at!" If they were contented, they would have seen that eating pancakes made from manna in freedom is better than eating meat and fish in captivity. They were more concerned about what they had left behind than what lay ahead. We can be like this sometimes when we are more preoccupied with the worries and problems of this world instead of focusing on our journey which leads us ultimately to heaven. Do not stop your journey halfway because of distractions and discontentment.
Jesus shows us that despite the troubles of this life, we shall never lack the things we need if we are contented. When he learnt of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew to be alone. Whenever Jesus withdrew from the crowd, it was so that He could pray and commune with the Father. Despite wanting to withdraw, he still made time to minister to the people who came to him with their problems. He set aside his grief and longing for rest to minister to the people because He felt compassion for them. He healed those who were sick and fed those who were hungry. He blessed and fed a crowd of five thousand men with five loaves of bread and two fish. He still had a leftover of twelve baskets.
You may not have much, yet God has placed in you a great wealth that you can share with the world. Contentment teaches us that we have something to offer. Do not underestimate the power of your five loaves and two fish.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
Prayer:
Sing aloud unto God our strength; make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yea, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Our Dear Father and our God fill us with the gift of contentment, in Jesus' name.
Help us to trust You even when things are not going the way we have planned, in Jesus' name.
Help me, by Your grace, to live out my day in a spirit of joy and contribute my time, talent and treasure to make the world a better place through Christ our Lord,
Father, raise a generation that will lust and thirst for your righteousness, in Jesus name;
Father of all grace, uphold the body of Christ with Your love, truth, and harmony with the Son and the Holy Ghost, in Jesus' name.
Merciful God, whose name is love, walk through the length and breadth of our nation, save, heal, deliver and transform lives, in Jesus' name.
Lord let Your kingdom come, let Your will be done in our nation, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Comentarios