Wednesday, December 3, 2025

 

The Feast of St. Francis Xavier 

All of today’s readings include a meal, a bounteous meal, sometimes in the most unlikely of circumstances. 
 
Isaiah 25:6
On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine —  the best of meats and the finest of wines.
 
Rich food for all people. ALL PEOPLE. Those who are more comfortable at home, those who can’t leave their home, those who love a crowd, those who have a difficult relationship with food, those who have dietary restrictions, those who feel that they don’t deserve the best and the finest.
 
Psalm 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
 
I am comforted in Psalm 23, knowing that not only does the Lord lead, guide, and walks with me, BUT he has already gone ahead to prepare a table for me in the presence of danger and hatred, with all the nourishment that I need. It reminds me of one of my favourites, Psalm 139.
 
Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
 
Matthew 15
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.
“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

With the feeding of the five thousand, I have always thought of the mom, who packed a lunch for her child, never knowing how many it would feed, with LEFTOVERS. What do we bring to a situation? Are we willing to share?  Do we undervalue what we have to offer? Do we withhold what we have to offer, because we are afraid it won’t be enough, or judged as having no value?
 
We are approaching the time when meals will be served. Gatherings will happen. Will we tie up our energies with worrying about what to cook, who to invite, is the house clean enough, will we be able to afford any of this? The Lord is with us through it all. The few fish and loaves fed people who never expected to eat, only because someone offered it. Bring what you can, let the Lord work through it.
 
Isaiah 25
In that day they will say,
“Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
Let us offer, let us trust, let us rejoice, let us give thanks, let us be glad.  
 
Thanks be to God.
 
Sylvia Besplug
 
The recipe in the picture was written by my Mom (1926 – 1999) and is the first cake I ever made,.  It was/is a standard for all the family birthdays, then and now.
 
 
 
If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake   Sharon, Lois & Bram 
 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Advent I - Sunday, November 30, 2025

Image
  Daily Office Is 2:1-5 Ps 122 Rom 13:11-14 Mt 24:36-44 Romans 13:11-14 Advent is a season of anticipation and expectation, with the focus being the celebration of the arrival of the infant Jesus. When babies are expected in our modern world, new parents often turn to the book, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” to help them feel prepared. This book is commonly referred to as “the pregnancy Bible,”  with chapter titles that include “Nine Months and Counting,” “Your Pregnancy Lifestyle,” and “How To Manage Complications.”   We have our own Bible, filled with wisdom for all seasons of life, including Advent. There is so much more to the Advent season than “24 Days and Counting.” The readings for today have a lot to offer in terms of what we can expect, how to prepare, what kind of lifestyle to strive for, and how to handle those pesky “complications” we call sin. They also point us beyond the arrival of the infant Jesus, into an unknown future when he will return. The G...
Read more

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Image
  Isaiah's Hope by Daphne Rae     Is 11:1-10   Ps 72:1-8   Lk 10:21-24 I have read J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings many times in my life. I find them beautiful in their vivid descriptions of an ancient, mythical world (Middle Earth) where evil lurks, good triumphs, and salvation is ultimately brought about by a small person who arises out of a distant, mainly unknown area. Tolkien, a devout Roman Catholic who was influential in C. S. Lewis’ journey to faith in Christ, must have known the impact his books would have on society as they draw many parallels to the Christian story. They appeal to people all over the globe because at their core is what everyone truly desires: someone to deliver them from sorrow and bring them comfort and joy. Sadly, there are also those who are uncomfortable with Tolkien. A dear, non-Christian friend and academic colleague once commented to me that she had never read Tolkien’s books because they sou...
Read more

The Feast of St. Andrew - Monday, December 1, 2025

Image
  Dt 30:11-14 or Rom 10:8 -18  Ps 19:1-6  Mt 4:18-22   The Feast of Saint Andrew Our present world has not heard Jesus’ message and cannot seem to find the hope we have in Christ.  As we light our advent candles this year may we bring the Light of Christ into the world to dispel the darkness by sharing his love.  Let us sift through the noise and chaos that overwhelms us, to discern the true song of the angels, shepherds, wise men and Christ child that call to us.     This morning as I was preparing to write my reflection, the Christmas song, Santa Claus is Coming to Town played. My mind cleared as I paused thinking the real Christmas song should be Jesus Christ is coming to you .  All the hype and preparation for a good Christmas is evident all around us, let us stop and prepare to greet Him in our lives today.  He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good.  Yes, Jesus kn...
Read more