These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings. Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (Jas 1:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021422.cfm
Today we begin the very interesting Letter of James that invites us to be joyful in our trials. In the liturgical calendar the feast of Saints Cyril (826-869) and Methodius (815-885) outranks poor Saint Valentine (226-269), but popular devotion keeps Saint Valentine’s Day nevertheless.
Jesus liked meals. Meals form a great part of his ministry. It was within the context of a meal that Jesus gave us the sacrament of his Body and Blood. Here are Biblical references for some of the meals of Jesus in the New Testament.
Mark 2:13-17 He who eats and drinks with sinners
Matthew 9:9-13 The table of Matthew, the sinner
Luke 5:27-32 He who eats and drinks with sinners
Luke 15:1-3 He eats with and welcomes sinners
Luke 5:1-11 Fisher of men
John 2:1-12 The Wedding Feast of Cana
John 6:1-15 The multiplication of the loaves: 5,000
John 6:28-71 The Bread of Life Discourse
Matthew 14:13-21 The multiplication of the loaves: 5,000
Matthew 15:29-39 The multiplication of the loaves: 4,000
Mark 6:35-44 The multiplication of the loaves: 5,000
Mark 8:1-10 The multiplication of the loaves: 4,000
Luke 9:12-17 The multiplication of the loaves: 5,000
Luke 10:38-42 The home of Martha and Mary
John 12:1-11 The meal of Martha, Mary and Lazarus
Luke 7:36-50 The home of the pharisee, sinful woman
Luke 19:1-10 The home of Zacchaeus, the sinner
1 Cor 11:23-26 The Lord’s Supper
Mark 14:12-26 The Last Supper of Jesus
Matthew 26:17-30 The Last Supper
Luke 22:14-23 The Supper of the Lord
John 13:1-20 The Washing of Feet
Luke 24:13-35 The Breaking of the Bread
John 21:1-14 Breakfast by the sea
Revelation 19:4-9 The Wedding Feast of the Lamb
Acts 2:42,46 Disciples’ Breaking of the Bread
“Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours . . . . But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation." (Lk 6:17, 20-26)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021322.cfm
Luke’s version of the Beatitudes is a bit more forceful than that of Matthew, the blessed’s are followed by the woe’s. There’s just not much wiggle-room for us well-heeled, overstuffed Christians.
In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. (Mk 8:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021222.cfm
The Feeding of the 4,000 reveals the Heart of Jesus and reminds us that feeding the hungry is not optional. Pope Francis summed up this passage very well: “You pray for the hungry. Then you feed them. That’s how prayer works.”
They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (Mk 7:31-37)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021122.cfm
The healings that Jesus performs on behalf of the sick are an important part of his ministry. Our prayers for the sick are an important part of the Communion of Saints. Our Lady of Lourdes reminds us that God is always close to the sick.
