Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • July 27, 2018 5 9274 Hwy 49/Airport Gulfport, MS 39503 228-863-5525 1-800-880-2446 FAX: 228-863-9612 www.butchoustalet.com 1260 Ocean Springs Road, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 Ph: 228-818-0650 For more information, contact Jody Ellis Stoddard, Executive Director or email her at gardensED@BlueHarborSL.com Web Address: www.gardensseniorliving.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheGardensSeniorLivingOceanSprings THANKSGIVING NOVENA TO ST. JUDE O Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St. Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen. Say three Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glorias. Publication must be promised. This Novena has never been known to fail. I have had my request granted. Publication promised. JB A holy man, resting beneath a tree at the outskirts of a city, was interrupted by a man who ran to him, saying, “The stone, give me the stone! Please, give me the stone.” “What stone?” asked the holy man? Then the man told how an angel had appeared to him in a dream and told him that he would find a holy man outside the city who would give him a stone and make him rich forever. The holy man reached into his pocket and pulled out a very large diamond. “The angel probably spoke of this, he said. I found it on my journey here. If you truly want it, you may have it.” The diamond was as big as his fist and perfect in every way. The man marveled at its beauty, clutched it eagerly and ran away quickly. That night he could not sleep. Before it was light, he went out to find the holy man. At dawn he woke him saying; “The wealth! Give me the wealth! Please, give me the wealth that lets you so easily give away the diamond.” Today’s scripture readings amplify that the greatest wealth a person can have is complete reliance on the Lord’s absolute sovereignty. Chapter four (4) of Two (2) Kings recounts four miracles performed by the prophet Elisha culminating with the miracle of today’s reading. In the first miracle, God multiplies the small amount of oil of a widow to save her from foreclosure by her debtors. The next miracle involves a barren woman who is granted a son because of her generosity to Elisha, the prophet. A third miracle occurs when the same son died but was raised to life by Elisha’s prayer. The miracle in today’s reading concerns a multiplication of barley loaves to feed “hundreds” of people during a famine. Note the similarity here with today’s gospel where Elisha’s servant objects to the possibility of so many people being satisfied with so little food, but Elisha confidently commands, “Give it to the people to eat.” For thus says the Lord, “They shall eat and there shall be some left over.” Guests at this meal learn what the prophet already knew: in their hunger they can rely on the God of plenty, because God provides more than enough. God can be relied on in any circumstance regardless of the seemingly impossible obstacles that must be overcome. Today’s Psalm expresses praise and gratitude for God’s mighty deeds and records three motives. First, is the greatness of the Lord. God is greater than material wealth, personal wants and goals, or any other earthly gift one can receive. Second, is the goodness of the Lord, which is seen (if we are paying attention) in all the works of creation and God’s intervention throughout every aspect of our daily lives. God’s goodness reveals His dominion. Third, is the everlasting nature of God’s dominion, which is seen in divine providence, and in God’s justice for all who suffer in any way and for all created beings as evidenced in the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. John shows his readers the Church in action. Faced with a multitude of hungry people, Jesus knew exactly what he was going to do. The uncertain disciples cooperate with His leading by getting the people to recline, preparing them to receive the Lord’s miracle. Andrew finds a boy with five barley loaves and two fish. The boy leads the way for miraculous happenings by giving the Lord everything he had. Taking the food from Jesus, the disciples then become initiators of the distribution process. The people take and eat without waste and pass the food to their neighbor. It is a cycle of receiving and giving. If anyone hoarded or held back food placed in their hands the miracle of feeding 5000 + would have been stifled. Our lack of cooperation with the Lord can and often does stifle his plans for our well- being. The disciples’ hunger for Jesus is endless. We can never say, “I have had enough of you Lord!” SUMMARY: 1. God always knows exactly what to do in any given situation. Remember that, next time you think of replacing God’s will with your own. 2. God desires to be our source of blessing. When God blesses, we should respond with awe-filled praise and thanksgiving. 3. Jesus provides all our needs and more. Don’t limit God’s power with minimal expectations. 4. Jesus turns no one away. Through your love and actions invite all to experience his presence. 5. God gives us opportunities to share in his work of redemption. To accomplish the works of God we need J.O.Y. (Jesus first, others next, and you last). 6. Jesus is host of our Eucharistic celebration. Even though he nourishes us in body, mind and spirit our hunger for him never ends. 7. We are guests of host Jesus, the master who came not to be served but to serve. 8. When we are generous with time, treasure and talent – when we give the Lord all we have – we set the stage for miraculous happenings. Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his web- site: www.homilypearls.com. 1st Reading: 2 Kings 4:42-44 Responsorial Psalm: 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18 2nd Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6 Gospel: John 6:1-15 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time Rely on God Deacon Torrell i Sunday Scripture Commentaries Official Appointment For the good of the people of God in the Diocese of Biloxi, Bishop Louis F. Kihneman, III, has made the following appointment: Very Reverend Dennis Carver has been appointed Vicar for Priests effective immediately. Given at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Biloxi on July 3, 2018. ? Most Reverend Louis F. Kihneman, III Bishop of Biloxi