Food in Abundance

Man ate the bread of angels, 

food he sent them in abundance. 

(Psalm 78:25)

God’s grace is available to us, even when we stumble. The wilderness symbolizes challenging seasons in our lives. Just as God provided manna and quail for the Israelites, He sustains us during trials. This shows God’s enduring compassion and willingness to restore. Let us reflect on moments when God has provided for us, even in unexpected ways.

Grace in the Wilderness

In the vast expanse of life’s desert, 

Where trials scorch and doubts assail, 

God’s grace flows like an oasis, 

A balm for every weary soul.

When stumbling, we find His hand, 

Guiding us through shifting sands, 

Manna falls, sustenance divine, 

Quail whispers, “I am yours, and you are Mine.”

The wilderness, our classroom stern,

Where faith is forged, and hearts discern, 

God’s enduring compassion, steadfast and true, 

Restores, renews, and makes all things new.

So let us pause, remember well, 

Moments unexpected, miracles untold, 

For in the barren, grace blooms wild, 

And God’s love sustains us, reconciled.

A Prayer for God’s Grace in the Wilderness

Gracious Father,

In the wilderness of life, where the sands shift beneath our feet and doubts assail our hearts, we seek Your presence. You are the oasis in our deserts, the wellspring of grace that never runs dry.

When we stumble, Lord, extend Your hand to lift us up. Just as You provided manna and quail to sustain the Israelites in their wandering, so too do You sustain us. Your compassion knows no bounds, and Your willingness to restore is unwavering.

Teach us to reflect, O God. Remind us of those unexpected moments when Your provision came forth—a timely word, an unexpected blessing, a glimmer of hope. May gratitude well up within us, even in the barren places.

As we journey through life’s challenges, may Your grace bloom wild within us. May we taste and see that You are good, even when the path is rugged. And may our hearts echo the psalmist’s words: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Pericope:

Third Book of Psalms 73-89

A NEW BEGINNING IN ZION AND DAVID

Psalm 78:12-39

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54

R: The Lord gave them bread from heaven. 

3 What we have heard and know, and what our fathers have declared to us, 4 we will declare to the generation to come the glorious deeds of the Lord and his strength and the wonders that he wrought. (R) 23 He commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven; 24 he rained manna upon them for food and gave them heavenly bread. (R) 25 Man ate the bread of angels; food he sent them in abundance. 54 And he brought them to his holy land, to the mountains his right hand had won. (R) 

Background:

Psalm 78 is a wisdom psalm attributed to Asaph, the great singer and musician of David and Solomon’s era. 

Gaining Attention and Teaching Wisdom (Psalm 78:1-4): Asaph calls God’s people to listen attentively to his words. He opens his mouth in parables and shares ancient sayings. The purpose is to pass down God’s praises, strength, and wonderful works from generation to generation.

God’s Provision in the Wilderness (Psalm 78:23-25): Inspired by the Exodus story, the psalmist describes God’s provision of manna and quail to the Israelites. The poetic language emphasizes God’s care and sustenance during their wilderness journey.

God’s Compassion Despite Rebellion (Psalm 78:54): The psalm recounts Israel’s rebellion and God’s judgment. Despite their unfaithfulness, God chose David as their shepherd, demonstrating His enduring mercy.

In summary, Psalm 78 serves as a powerful narrative, reminding us of God’s faithfulness, compassion, and guidance throughout Israel’s history. 

Learning Lessons:

Passing Down God’s Wisdom (Psalm 78:3-4): Asaph encourages passing down God’s teachings and stories to future generations. We learn the importance of sharing our faith journey with others, especially our children. Consider how you can pass on your spiritual experiences and insights to those around you.

God’s Provision in Difficult Times (Psalm 78:23-25): The wilderness symbolizes challenging seasons in our lives. Just as God provided manna and quail for the Israelites, He sustains us during trials. Reflect on moments when God has provided for you, even in unexpected ways.

God’s Mercy Despite Our Failures (Psalm 78:54): Despite Israel’s rebellion, God chose David as their shepherd. This shows God’s enduring compassion and willingness to restore. Remember that God’s grace is available to us, even when we stumble.

May these lessons inspire you to seek God’s presence, trust His guidance, and share His love with others.

Reflection Source:

Conversation with Copilot

Blessed Are You

In the realm where grace is the currency,

Blessings flow like a river, a gift of mercy.

A profound bond with the Divine, a mystery,

Turns affliction into blessings, a sacred journey.

The Beatitudes, a heavenly decree,

Affirm blessings for the humble and the free.

For those poor in spirit, for those who see,

For the meek, the righteous, the merciful, the glee.

Blessed are the pure, the peacemakers, the persecuted,

In God's kingdom, their worth is undisputed.

Compassion and forgiveness, virtues recruited,

Mercy shown to others, love undisputed.

Honesty and truth, the right path illuminated,

Even when it's difficult, even when it's complicated.

Choosing love, a choice consecrated,

Even in suffering, our hearts dedicated.

Looking forward to the fulfillment of His promises,

In the face of trials, in the face of abyss.

God's kingdom within us, a bliss,

Blessings are a gift of grace, a heavenly kiss.

REFELCTION:

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. (Matthew 5:6)

Blessings are a gift of grace. A profound relationship with God turns affliction into a blessing. 

The Beatitudes affirm that blessings already exist for those who are poor in spirit, mourn, are meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, are merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted. 

We are to be compassionate and forgiving, and to show mercy to others. We are also to be honest and truthful, and to do what is right even when it is difficult. 

Let us choose love, even in the face of suffering, and to look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Dear Lord Jesus,

We come before You, acknowledging that blessings are a gift of Your grace. We recognize that a profound relationship with You can turn our afflictions into blessings. We are humbled by the Beatitudes, which affirm that blessings already exist for those who are poor in spirit, mourn, are meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, are merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted.

Lord, guide us to be compassionate and forgiving, showing mercy to others as You have shown mercy to us. Help us to be honest and truthful, doing what is right even when it is difficult. In the face of suffering, let us choose love, reflecting Your love for us.

We look forward to the fulfillment of Your promises, knowing that Your word is true and Your love is unending. May we live each day in the light of Your grace, striving to embody the teachings of the Beatitudes in our thoughts, words, and actions.

In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Pericope:

II: The Proclamation of the Kingdom

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Matthew 5:1-12

Gospel | Matthew 5:1-12

Gospel Acclamation

Rejoice and be glad; for your reward will be great in heaven.

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He began to teach them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. 6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Background:

Matthew 5:1-12, also known as the Beatitudes, is a part of the Sermon on the Mount, which is one of the most loved portions of the Gospel. This sermon is recorded in Matthew 5-71. Matthew placed it at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, emphasizing that Jesus is the authoritative teacher of God’s people.

The Beatitudes were delivered by Jesus on a mountainside, a well-known posture of a teacher. The traditional location of this “mount” is the low hills behind the region of Capernaum and the other fishing villages on the shore.

Before delivering the Beatitudes, Jesus had been announcing that the kingdom of heaven was near and had been calling for people to repent. He had also called the first disciples, Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, who were fishing, and James and John, also fishermen.

The Beatitudes introduce Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which is found in the Gospel of Matthew. The events described in Matthew take place in Jerusalem, Judea, and the surrounding occupied lands of the Greco-Roman Empire between 10 B.C.E. and 40 C.E3. The book was likely composed between 50 and 90 C.E3.

The Beatitudes include nine sayings from Jesus about the hearts and actions of people living out his Kingdom reality. These statements are grouped into three triads, concluding with three images: salt, light, and a city on a hill.

The discourse was intended for the nation of Israel, the crowds who had been flocking to Jesus. But it was delivered immediately to the disciples. The Beatitudes, and the Sermon on the Mount as a whole, are written in the literary style of prose discourse.

In essence, the Beatitudes unveil the foundations and character of life in the kingdom of heaven. They point to the quality of righteousness that characterizes life in the kingdom, now in part, but fully in the future. They present an affront to our natural inclinations, explaining that followers of Jesus are blessed no matter their present reality because of the sure future hope that is stored up for them in and by God through Christ.

Learning Lessons:

Matthew 5:1-12, known as the Beatitudes, offers profound lessons for our lives:

Blessings are a Gift of Grace: The Beatitudes affirm that blessings already exist for those who are poor in spirit, mourn, are meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, are merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted1. These blessings are not earned but are freely given by God’s grace.

God’s Comfort in Mourning: Those who mourn are blessed because they will be comforted1. This implies a profound relationship with God, turning affliction into a blessing.

Character of Kingdom People: The Beatitudes paint a picture of the character of God’s kingdom. As we step into God’s kingdom, we aspire to become more like those named as blessed—more meek, more merciful, more hungry for righteousness, more apt to make peace, and so on.

Community in God’s Kingdom: The Beatitudes bless God’s community, not just individuals1. By following Jesus, we become blessed members of the kingdom community, even though our character is not yet formed in God’s likeness.

Love Your Neighbor: It is our responsibility to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are to be compassionate and forgiving, and to show mercy to others. We are also to be honest and truthful, and to do what is right even when it is difficult.

Hope in God: Jesus’s words in Matthew 5:1–12 are meant to remind Christians that their hope isn’t in themselves but in what their great God has done and will do.

These teachings are important, and we should always strive to live by them. They remind us of the humble, generous, and non-violent character of Kingdom people, and the cost and reward of following Jesus. They challenge us to choose love, even in the face of suffering, and to look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises. (Conversation with Copilot)

Filled with All the Fulness of God

In the vast expanse of His divine affection,

We dwell, a testament to love's perfection.

Beyond comprehension, His love so grand,

Guiding us gently by His unseen hand.

Not by our might, nor by power, we stand,

But by His grace, on this holy land.

Our achievements, a mirror of His grace,

Reflecting the warmth of His embrace.

Humility, a beacon on our spiritual quest,

In God's word, we find our rest.

Seeking wisdom, seeking understanding,

In His promises, we find our standing.

Bold in faith, we march ahead,

Trust in His promises, our daily bread.

In the face of trials, in the face of strife,

We find strength in the Giver of Life.

Let us pray, let us kneel,

In His love, let us heal.

To understand His love, so profound,

In His fullness, may we be found.

REFLECTION:

Know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)

Experience and dwell in God’s love that is beyond human comprehension. 

Our achievements are not by our own strength, but by God’s grace. Humility is important in our spiritual journey as we seek understanding and wisdom in God’s word. We should always be bold in our faith and to trust in God’s promises. 

Let us pray to be strengthened, to understand God’s love, and to be filled with the fullness of God. 

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before You today to experience and dwell in Your love that is beyond our human comprehension. We acknowledge that our achievements are not by our own strength, but by Your grace. 

Humility is the cornerstone of our spiritual journey as we seek understanding and wisdom in Your word. We pray for the courage to always be bold in our faith and to trust in Your promises.

We ask You to strengthen us, to help us understand Your love, and to fill us with Your fullness. May we grow in Your grace and knowledge each day, and may our lives be a testament to Your unfailing love and mercy.

In Your Holy name, we pray. Amen.

Pericope:

III: World Mission of the Church

COMMISSION TO PREACH GOD'S PLAN / PRAYER FOR THE READERS

Ephesians 3:1-13 /14-21

Second Reading | Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19

8 Brothers and sisters: To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for all what is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God who created all things, 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the principalities and authorities in the heavens. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith in him. 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Background:

Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19 is a passage from the New Testament that is filled with expressions of praise, thanksgiving, and prayer to God. The Apostle Paul, who was a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the Gentiles, wrote these words to the people of Ephesus.

In this passage, Paul acknowledges that he was made a minister of the gospel according to the gift of God’s grace. Despite considering himself the least of all the saints, this grace was given to him to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. He was tasked to make plain to everyone the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things.

Paul’s intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. This was according to the eternal purpose that God accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In Him and through faith in Him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

In verses 14-19, Paul offers a prayer for the Ephesians. He prays that they may be strengthened with power through the Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith. He prays that they, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge. He prays that they may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

This passage stands as a testimony to divine love and mercy, and it portrays God’s heart in conflict with his plans, his compassion averting his anger. It’s a beautiful depiction of God’s enduring love and patience, even in the face of disobedience and rebellion. It invites us to reflect on our own actions and attitudes and challenge us to become better individuals and communities.

Learning Lessons:

Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19 offers several profound lessons:

Humility: Paul, despite being an apostle, refers to himself as the least of all the saints. This teaches us the importance of humility in our spiritual journey.

God’s Grace: The passage emphasizes that it is by God’s grace that we are saved and called to serve Him. This reminds us that our achievements are not by our own strength, but by God’s grace.

The Mystery of God: Paul speaks about the mystery of God’s plan that has now been revealed through Jesus Christ. This encourages us to seek understanding and wisdom in God’s word.

Boldness and Confidence in Faith: Paul encourages believers to approach God with freedom and confidence. This teaches us to be bold in our faith and to trust in God’s promises.

The Power of Prayer: In verses 14-19, Paul prays for the Ephesians to be strengthened, to understand God’s love, and to be filled with the fullness of God. This underscores the power of prayer in our lives.

God’s Love: The passage speaks about the breadth, length, height, and depth of Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge. This invites us to experience and dwell in God’s love that is beyond human comprehension.

Remember, these lessons are not just historical or theological points, but practical guides that we can apply in our daily lives to grow spiritually and morally. They invite us to reflect on our own actions and attitudes, and challenge us to become better individuals and communities. (Conversation with Copilot)

God Fills You with the Best

In the realm of the Divine, blessings abound,

Commands are sent, His words resound.

Swift as the wind, they race across the sky,

A special revelation, a gift from on high.

His word and laws, a privilege we hold,

More precious than silver, more valuable than gold.

In His active care, we find our rest,

With peace and provision, we are truly blessed.

He strengthens us with His mighty hand,

In His presence, we securely stand.

He grants us peace, calms our fears,

Fills us with the best, wipes away our tears.

So let us praise, let our voices ring,

To our God, our Maker, our King.

Expressing gratitude, deep and profound,

For the unique relationship in Him we've found.

REFLECTION:

He has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you. He has granted peace in your borders; with the best of wheat he fills you. (Psalm 147:13-14)

God has bestowed upon us His blessings. He sends out commands and His words run swiftly giving us a special revelation. His word and laws is a privilege given to us. 

God’s active care and power strengthens us, grants peace, provides for our needs, fills us with the best.

Let us continually praise and express our deepest gratitude to God for His unique relationship with us as His people.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging the blessings You have bestowed upon us. You send out Your commands and Your words run swiftly, giving us a special revelation. We recognize that Your word and laws are a privilege given to us.

We thank You for Your active care and power that strengthens us. You grant us peace, provide for our needs, and fill us with the best. We are truly grateful for these blessings.

Help us to continually praise You and express our deepest gratitude for Your unique relationship with us as Your people. May we always remember Your goodness and love, and may our lives reflect Your glory.

In Jesus' name, we pray. 

Amen.

Pericope:

Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150

GOD'S WORD RESTORES JERUSALEM

Psalm 147:1-20

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20

R: Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. 

12 Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. 13 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you. (R)  14 He has granted peace in your borders; with the best of wheat he fills you. 15 He sends forth his command to the earth; swiftly runs his word! (R) 19 He has proclaimed his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel. 20 He has not done thus for any other nation; his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia. (R) 

Background: 

Psalm 147 is a psalm of praise to God for His care, creation, and His word. Here’s some background information:

Author and Date: The psalm is one of the last five psalms in the Book of Psalms that begin and end with “Hallelujah” or "Praise the LORD!". The author is not explicitly mentioned, but it’s traditionally attributed to David. The exact date of its composition is unknown.

Purpose and Themes: The psalm praises God for His protection and preservation. It highlights God’s care for Jerusalem, His power over the universe, and the special revelation He gave to Israel. The psalmist encourages the readers to praise God for these reasons.

Now, let’s look at the specific verses you mentioned (Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20):

"Extol the Lord, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion. He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat. He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws."

These verses emphasize the blessings God has bestowed upon Jerusalem and Israel1. God strengthens the city, blesses the people, grants peace, and provides for their needs. He also reveals His word and laws to Israel, a privilege not given to any other nation1. These verses call for praise and gratitude to God for His unique relationship with His people.

Learning Lessons:

The verses Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 offer several important lessons for believers:

God’s Care and Power: These verses highlight God’s active care for Jerusalem and His power over the universe. This teaches us to trust in God’s care and power in our own lives.

God’s Provision and Peace: God grants peace within your borders and fills you with the finest of wheat. This reminds us of God’s provision and His desire for our peace.

God’s Word: God sends out commands to the earth and the words run swiftly. This underscores the importance of God’s Word and its impact on the world.

God’s Special Revelation to His People: God declares statutes and ordinances to Jacob and all Israel, unlike any other nation. This emphasizes the unique relationship God has with His people and the special revelation He has given them.

Call to Praise: The psalmist encourages readers to praise God for these reasons. This serves as a reminder for us to continually praise God for His goodness, care, and the special revelation He has given us.

Remember, these lessons are not just to be understood intellectually, but to be lived out in our daily lives. They should shape our attitudes, actions, and interactions with others. As we apply these truths, we grow in our relationship with God and reflect His love to those around us. (Conversation with Copilot)

MORE BLESSED

"In every way I have shown you that 

by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, 

and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, 

‘It is more blessed to give 
than to receive.’” 

Acts 20:35

Abide in My Love

"As the Father has loved me, 

so have I loved you; 

abide in my love."

John 15:9

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

-- John 15:9-12



Pericope:
THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES - John 15:1-17

Published:
May 14, 2011, 5:31AM

All shall be Well

Because of our good Lord's tender love to all those who shall be saved, he quickly comforts them saying, "The cause of all this pain is sin. But all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well." These words were said so kindly and without a hint of blame.So how unjust it would be for me to blame God for allowing my sin when he does not blame me for falling into it. -- Blessed Julian of Norwich