18TH MONDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Matthew 14:13-21) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“There is no need for them to go away, give them some food yourselves.” (Mt 14:16)

FIRST READING - Num 11:4b-15

"I cannot carry all this people by myself."

A reading from the Book of Numbers

⁴ The riffraff among them were so greedy for meat that even the Israelites lamented again, “If only we had meat for food! ⁵ We remember the fish we used to eat without cost in Egypt, and the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. ⁶ But now we are famished; we have nothing to look forward to but this manna.”

⁷ Manna was like coriander seed^[a] and had the appearance of bdellium. ⁸ When they had gone about and gathered it up, the people would grind it between millstones or pound it in a mortar, then cook it in a pot and make it into loaves, with a rich creamy taste. ⁹ At night, when the dew fell upon the camp, the manna also fell.

¹⁰ When Moses heard the people, family after family, crying at the entrance of their tents, so that the Lord became very angry, he was grieved. ¹¹ “Why do you treat your servant so badly?” Moses asked the Lord. “Why are you so displeased with me that you burden me with all this people? ¹² Was it I who conceived all this people? or was it I who gave them birth, that you tell me to carry them at my breast, like a nurse carrying an infant, to the land you have promised under oath to their fathers? ¹³ Where can I get meat to give to all this people? For they are crying to me, ‘Give us meat for our food.’ ¹⁴ I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me. ¹⁵ If this is the way you will deal with me, then please do me the favor of killing me at once, so that I need no longer face my distress.”

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mt 14:13-21

"Looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds."

✠From the Gospel according to Matthew

¹³ When Jesus heard of it, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. ¹⁴ When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. ¹⁵ When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” ¹⁶ [Jesus] said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” ¹⁷ But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” ¹⁸ Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” ¹⁹ and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking^[a] the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. ²⁰ They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over^[b]—twelve wicker baskets full. ²¹ Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

18TH MONDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Matthew 14:13-21)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

The Word of God in today’s Gospel recounts the miracle of Jesus multiplying loaves of bread to feed the crowd. This event foretells the love of God, who always loves and remains with humankind in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth to become a human being; He suffered, died, and rose again, and He will remain with humankind until the end of time — that is, in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. The Holy Eucharist is truly the Body of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

In the Holy Mass, after the priest pronounces the words of consecration and prays over the bread and wine: “This is my body, and this is my blood, which will be shed for you.” God becomes truly present in the bread and wine. All those who have absolute faith and love in God will recognize that it is truly the God of Love who is present in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Today, the Word of God extends an invitation to all: to become deeply aware of the boundless love God has for humanity—a love so profound that He gave His own life for mankind. Those who love God are called to come and remain with Him in the Holy Eucharist. Those who wish to become one with Him must purify their souls in order to welcome the Son of God into their hearts.

He also wanted to remind everyone that where God is present, there is peace, happiness, and the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, all are called to run to the love of God, the Holy Trinity, who is truly present in the Holy Eucharist. He always opens His heart to welcome all of His children.

When Jesus saw the crowd, He was moved with compassion, and from that compassion, He asked God the Father to perform the miracle of multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish to feed the people. This miracle is also a symbolic image of the Holy Eucharist, which God desires to give to humanity, so that when people welcome Him into their hearts, they may be nourished by Him in both soul and body. Where God reigns, there is peace and true happiness. There is no greater happiness than having God reign in one’s heart. We must give thanks to God and strive to keep our souls pure, so that He may reign within us—for each person's soul is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

In today’s Word of God, God earnestly calls all people to believe in Him and to desire to welcome Him into their souls, so that they may live eternally with Him. As we journey through this life, we are given the strength to resist Satan and his minions. God revealed that Satan hates those who come to the Holy Eucharist. Satan despises those who receive the Holy Eucharist with the awareness that they are welcoming God into their hearts. Satan hates those who worship Jesus in the Holy Eucharist day and night, and Satan hates those who strive to keep their hearts pure so that God may enter and dwell within them.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

19:00 August 4th, 2025 - Prayer of Divine Mercy - The Way to Heaven