Those who are with Jesus will never go empty handed

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Advent Season :  1st Week : New Liturgical Year : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mt 15:29-37*

*First Reading : Is 25:6-10a*

*Those who are with Jesus will never go empty handed*

*1) People with Jesus for three days*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the people who were with Jesus 

In the Gospel Jesus says *for they have been with me now for three days*

So for three days people were with Jesus. It is quite long time that people spent their time with Jesus 

*2) They didn't go with empty handed*

The Gospel also tells us that Jesus didn't send them empty handed. But he provided them with plenty, which can be analysed at different  levels 

*First* of all they were enlightened by the Word of God by Jesus 

For three days Jesus must have spoken so many things about the Kingdom of God and its riches and the need in our life 

*Secondly* people also received lots of favours in terms of healing and consolation 

Jesus must have healed many people, consoled others and helped many more according to the need 

*Thirdly* They received the bodily food from Jesus. It was like a miracle which Jesus worked to feed the entire crowd 

So this is also another important favour which people  received from Jesus

*3) Only Rich Man went empty Handed*

In the entire Gospel we see the Young man who came to Jesus asking for a favour went back without anything 

He was not ready to follow the advice of Jesus. So he could not receive the favour which Jesus gave him. 

It is not Jesus who didn't give the favour, but it was the inability of the young man to receive the favour which Jesus gave 

*4) Various ways of Staying with Jesus*

There are multiple ways through which we can remain with Jesus 

Prayer 

Service 

Sacrifice 

Charity 

Forgiveness 

Reflecting the word of God

Celebration of the sacraments care for the poor 

Feeding the hungry 

Helping the needy 

Protecting the weak 

Living a upright life 

These are the various ways to stay with Jesus 

*5) What we receive from Jesus*

We receive a divine friendship from Jesus

We receive love and protection 

We receive consolation

We receive peace of mind 

We receive God's mercy 

We receive forgiveness

We receive spiritual strength

We receive God's healing touch

We receive moral  courage 

We receive guidance 

We receive everything we need to live a holy life 

*6) God is never tired of Giving*

Giving or Sharing is God's another name 

It is God's nature to give everything which we need in our life 

There is no dearth of anything in God. God is always full and shares in abundance

God is never tired of giving. Am I tired of asking? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*