Open my eyes, that I may consider the wonders of Your law.

"Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 5: 19 NABRE)

This Sunday, the 6th in Ordinary Time, the Spirit focuses our attention on one theme:  God's law, God's commandments.  Let's consider a few of the pointers in today's letter to the  Churches:

#1.  "If you choose, you can keep the commandments; loyalty is doing the will of God."  (Sirach 15: 15)
#2.  "He never commands anyone to sin, nor shows leniency toward deceivers."  (Sirach 15: 20)
#3.  "Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord."  (Psalm 119 : 1)
#4.  "Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart."  (Psalm 119: 34)
#5  "Whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 5: 19)

What is the reward for keeping the commandments?

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
 and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared for those who love him.”  (1 Corinthians 2: 9 NLT)

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They ate and were satisfied.

"They ate and were satisfied."  (Mark 8: 8 NABRE)

Jesus fed 4000 people with seven loaves and a few fish. They all get ate and were satisfied with plenty leftover.  How many times have you been to a party, wedding or reception and can honestly say that you ate and were satisfied?  Only Christ the Bread of life who knows exactly what we need can pull this off.  Remember the Wedding Feast at Canna?  The people drank the best wine until they could drink no more.

Jesus fulfilled admirably the prophecy in Isaiah 55:

"All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!
You who have no money, come, buy grain and eat;
Come, buy grain without money,
wine and milk without cost!"  (Isaiah 55: 1)

In verse 2 of the same chapter,  God asked our throw-away generation an intriguing question:

"Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what does not satisfy?
Only listen to me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare."  (Isaiah 55: 2)

Every single day, Jesus continues to feed millions of people with the finest wheat, the Bread of life.   (John 6 : 35;  Matthew 26: 26; 1 Corinthians 11: 24)

“It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God."  (Matthew 4: 4 AMP)

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Be alert. Watch and pray.

"Now the snake was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made."  (Genesis 3: 1 NABRE)

St Peter warns us:  "Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour."   (1 Peter 5: 8)

What is your attitude to temptations?  Are you the type that likes to get to the very edge of the cliff?  Is playing with fire like a sport to you?

Now listen to Jesus:  “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.   The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."  (Matthew 26: 41 NIV)

Know yourself, your weak points. Satan knows these very well.  Be alert.  Watch and pray.

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Welcome the word that has been planted in you.

"Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls."  (James 1: 21 NABRE)

The "word" above means also the word of God, law, command, statute, promise, etc.

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."  (Romans 10: 17 NKJV)

The word you hear is the Good News.  His name is Jesus.  When you welcome the word or the message, you welcome Jesus.
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends."  (Revelation 3: 20 NLT)
Where Jesus is, there is salvation; there is prosperity.

"Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls."  (James 1: 21)

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O bless the Lord my soul!

"All creatures look to you to give them food in due time. When you give it to them, they gather; when you open your hand, they are well filled."  (Psalm 104: 27 -  28)

Every living thing depend on God for  nourishment and life.  Note there is a time for gathering.

"Young lions roar for prey; they seek their food from God."  (Psalm 104:  21)

Even young powerful lion's still depend on God for their food.

"You make the grass grow for the cattle and plants for people’s work to bring forth food from the earth,
wine to gladden their hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread to sustain the human heart."  (Psalm 104: 14 - 15)

Are you surprised to learn that God gives us wine, beer and spirit to gladden our hearts?  How about those fine cosmetics?  And all the assorted kinds of food?

"Bless the Lord, my soul!
Lord, my God, you are great indeed!" (Psalm 104: 1)

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Sunday Rest is a great gift from Abba Father.

"On the seventh day God completed the work he had been doing; he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.   God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation." (Genesis 2: 2 -  3 NABRE)

God rested on the seventh day from His labors.  He set it apart for us for rest and worship. 

Families should take advantage of the Sunday Rest for spiritual and physical refreshment.  It is a day to visit the sick in the hospital, enjoy the zoo and the parks.

It is a day when all anxiety about work and money should be banished.  Cast the burden on the Lord who ordered us to rest on Sunday.

The Sunday Rest is a Rehearsal for the promised Eternal Rest.

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Cry out to Jesus with expectant faith and you will be healed.

"Wherever he went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed."  (Mark 6: 56 NLT)

Many today need healing for their infirmities.  The sick in Mark 6: 56 were healed by their faith in Jesus and not by the act of touching the fringe of His robe.   Since Jesus is alive and active today, whoever approaches Jesus with expectant faith will be healed.  Jesus is the same today, yesterday and forever.   (Hebrews 13: 8)

Where and how can we approach Jesus today?
#1.  The Eucharist, which is the New Covenant and the source and summit of our faith.
#2.  The word of God, which contains His presence, power and person.
#3. Prayer, which Jesus calls a vital necessity.  (Luke 18: 1)

The important thing is:  Approach Jesus with a dynamic and expectant faith and you will be healed.

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