Attentiveness and vulnerability

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Ubi Caritas

Juliano Ravanello

Today is Monday the 3rd of August, in the 18th week of Ordinary Time.

Juliano Ravanello sings 'Ubi caritas est vera, Deus ibi est': Wherever love is true, God is there. Where is the love of God present for you today?

3:29

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 14:13-21

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

5:31

sigh

In this encounter between Jesus and his disciples, attentiveness and vulnerability open the way for grace. Jesus looks at those who follow him with care. And they open themselves to him— in their joys and their concerns, in their strength and their weakness. As you begin this time of prayer, give yourself permission to be as you are before Jesus, your brother and your Lord. Is there something you would like him to heal? Or to restore?

In his humanity, Jesus is moved by those who come to him with sincerity. As you imagine the crowd gathered with him in that deserted place, see yourself there. Where are you in the scene? And notice how God might be inviting you to find stillness in the middle of the busyness of your life.

Jesus not only invites us to rest with him, but he also invites us to share in his work. As you listen to the passage again, imagine yourself alongside the disciples, sharing the bread and the fish. What is it like to take part? And how might God be inviting you to help feed others—those who are hungry in body or in spirit?

9:13

Matthew 14:13-21

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

10:55

Finally, stay for a moment with the sense of fullness among the crowd. Notice what remains. And then, speak to Jesus as you would to a friend. Tell him what is stirring within you. And thank him for his constant invitation to be part of his mission.

13:19

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen