Morning Voice

July 28, 2024. Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – B. Readings: 2 Kgs 4:42-44; Ps 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18; Eph4:1-6; Jn 6:1-15.   “The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.” Ps 145:16 A Nepalese proverb says: “The god who made the mouth will provide the food.” A Turkish proverb adds: “For the birds that cannot soar, God has provided low branches.” God always feeds our needs. This is not only about the spiritual, but also the human and material needs. God provides. His Providence is enough for all. To operate, God's Providence requires only our human faith. That is our little contribution. Faith is the key to the abundance of God's grace. In today's liturgy, a song can be heard, and it will constitute the directive line of our meditation on the word of God. "The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs." Ps 145:16 The Lord always outstretches his hand. He feeds all who trust in him. He is always eager to answer our needs. I...

July 21, 2024. Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – B. Readings: Jer 23:1-6; Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6; Eph 2:13-18; Mk6:30-34.   "His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd..." (Mk 6:34) A Hindi proverb says: “God takes care of a blind cow.” A Romanian proverb adds: “A good shepherd must fleece his sheep, not flay them.” The relationship between sheep and shepherds is one of the images commonly used in the Scriptures to describe God's relationship with his people. It is normally one of intimate knowledge and trust. Shepherds are responsible for the care and safety of their sheep, which are helpless animals that can not survive independently. In return, the sheep learn to recognize their shepherd's voice and follow them—three main words spring from that relationship: care, trust, and obedience. The shepherd cares. The sheep trust, and because of their trust, they obey him. When the care is lacking, the trust also disappears, an...

July 14, 2024. Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – B. Readings: Am 7:12-15; Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14; Eph 1:3-14or 1:3-10; Mk 6:7-13. “Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits.” Mk 6:7 A Swahili proverb says: “A person does not object to being called, he objects to what he is called for.” A Romanian Proverb adds: “Every man must walk in his own calling.” At our Baptism, not only do we become children of God, but we are also invested with a threefold authority that becomes also a mission. We are made through the anointing  Priests, Prophets, and Kings. We are made sharers of the mission of Christ, anointed like him and sent. So, as a Priest, you become a mediator between God and humans, offering sacrifices on behalf of all. Jesus is considered the greatest high priest. Every baptized Christian is an Alter Christi. As a King: A person with supreme authority over a territory. Jesus' mission was to bring ...

July 7, 2024. Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – B. Readings: Ez 2:2-5; Ps 123:1-2, 2, 3-4; 2 Cor 12:7-10; Mk6:1-6. “So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” Mk 6:5 A Corsican proverb says: “Have faith and God will provide.” A Portuguese proverb adds: “Faith has no eyes; he who asks to see has no faith.” Humans are weak, frail, prone to sin, and rebellious. We often let our weaknesses and rebellious minds take over our inner goodness. God, however, shows his love and power at work in us. He can transform our stories and make of our weakness, the place where his grace operates. The only thing God’s grace requires to be at work in us is a firm faith in him. Without faith, no miracle is possible and God’s power inoperative. Today, again, like the two precedent Sundays, we continue meditating and speaking about God's power. Previously, it was about his power...