Good News Inspiration for Daily Life

Bulletin Insert for August 9, 2020.

Description: Reflection for 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time explores the idea of a well-balanced faith life. In the Gospel reading, Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus finishes with the miracle of multiplying a few loaves and fish to feed thousands of people, and then he goes off by himself to pray. Jesus frequently spent time in prayer, so why did Matthew mention it here? What was significant about this particular prayer time?

This reflection invites readers to ponder: When you host a large dinner party or complete a big project or overcome difficult obstacles, do you give yourself time to recuperate and let God minister to you? Through Matthew, God is showing us how to achieve a well-balanced faith. We need periods of prayer-filled solitude to restore our energies and renew our vision of what God is inspiring us to do. We all have work to do for God in our families, in our workplaces, in social gatherings, in our parishes and in every problem that arises. Giving of ourselves to others will always drain us; to thrive and grow in our usefulness to God, we must allow him to replenish us often. Prayer helps us to prepare for whatever lies ahead, even when we don’t know what we’re walking into. 

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Ideas for use: Bulletin insert for 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time, ministry development, SCCs, adult and youth faith formation, RCIA, etc.

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