Jesus had just fed the four thousand—and yet, the Pharisees in Dalmanutha still want him to perform a sign. But the Son of God doesn’t work on demand. If they don’t believe, they don’t believe. Small wonder Jesus gives a deep sigh.
We shake our heads at the Pharisees’ audacity and arrogance. However, their demand was not so different from when we tell Jesus to give us a spouse, a child, a new job, a cure. While the Lord loves it when we pour out our hearts to him, he loves it even more when we trust that he knows the best way to ease the pain—instead of demanding a sign.
Trusting God: "Put yourself in God's hands; He abandons no one." St. Andre Bessette
“ Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we come before you today with humble hearts asking for your healing touch upon our beloved Holy Father Pope Francis.” “ Heavenly Father, have mercy on him in his illness. Grant him peace and healing. “ Amen
Big AMEN to this.
AMEN.
This is the condition of the hearts of Pharisees when they asked for a sign in Mark 8:11, "When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with Him. Testing Him, they demanded that He show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove hHs authority!" *** They were jealous, they were angry and they wanted to get rid of (kill) Jesus by setting Him up!!! *** Same thing happened to Cain when God didn't do what he thought God should do (God was unfair!) in Genesis 4:3-5, "After some time, Cain gathered some things he had grown. He brought them as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering. He brought the fattest parts of some animals from his flock. They were the first animals born to their mothers. The Lord was pleased with Abel and his offering. But He wasn’t pleased with Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his face was sad!" *** Pharisees eventually had Jesus killed and Cain also killed Able in Genesis 4:8, "Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” So they went out. There Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him!" ******* God warned Cain before his anger, jealousy and complaint became a sin in Genesis 4:6-7, "Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why are you looking so sad? Do what is right and then you will be accepted. If you don’t do what is right, sin is waiting at your door to grab you. It desires to control you. But you must rule over it.” *** How about you? Are you sad like Cain? Do you feel unfair with what is going on in your life? Do you know this in John 14:6, "Jesus answered, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me!" What does it really mean Jesus is the only way to God the Father in my thoughts, in my words and in my actions?!?!?!
Melanie your words are comforting again thank you. Lord help my unbelief. Blessings to all the LFF, especially those with extra needs these days, Pope Francis and others. May we all spread the love of God through all the world everyday.
Peace to everyone. Amen!
Thank you Melanie. Your message spoke to my heart. Father Jamie's video complimented yours, "Trust in the Lord, it's going to be OK." Also thank you to all of the commentators who add to the experience. I've been coming to the LFF site for 15 years and rarely comment but always read them. It truly is the LFF family
So happy you continue to follow and chose to write! Welcome.
Thanks for the kind words! If I had a nickel for every time I treated the Lord like a Pez dispenser... only to eventually find out His way was better.
Who’s in charge? That’s easy to tell. Just read Jane’s daily submission describing our world’s condition.
By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down. Proverbs 29:4
Human security (in kings) is fleeting... *** Where your heart is will be where your security is in Jeremiah 17:5-8, "The Lord says, “Those who trust in human beings are under My curse. They depend on human strength. Their hearts turn away from Me. They will be like a bush in a dry and empty land. They will not enjoy success when it comes. They will live in dry places in the desert. It is a land of salt where no one else lives. “But I will bless anyone who trusts in Me. I will do good things for the person who depends on Me. They will be like a tree planted near water. It sends out its roots beside a stream. It is not afraid when heat comes. Its leaves are always green. It does not worry when there is no rain. It always bears fruit.” *** Do you know what happened to the constant complaints of the Israelites whom God saved from Egypt? Look them up... *** When we don't like what we see in the world, what does it say about our God who does nothing to change the wrongs in the world? Does God know what He is doing? Is our God in control at all? Is He God? ******* Actually, when I complain the wrongs of this world which I do, it has everything to say about me than about my God!!! Proverbs 3:5-8, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. In all your ways obey Him. Then He will make your paths smooth and straight. Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Have respect for the Lord and avoid evil. That will bring health to your body. It will make your bones strong!" *** Frank, don't stop praying "for immigrants, federal workers and for the poor and sick around world in need of food and medicine!" God sees your heart, He hears your cry (and your complaints) and He has His plan for you to do something about it as He puts that burden on your heart ✝️
So true, and so sad. Greed is definitely a deadly sin.
Amen. :)
Praying for the health of Pope Francis. May he be feeling better soon and leave the hospital. GOD BLESS YOU POPE FRANCIS
Dear Sweet Jesus and Blessed Mother, please let them find where my pain is coming from in my legs and ease it. I want to get back to doing the things I am use to and not be in constant pain. I feel like a burden to my husband who has been very patient, bless his heart. Hear my prayers please. Thank you A
AD, lifting you in prayer right now that the Lord may provide your Dr.’s with an accurate diagnosis!
AD…yes, I have you tucked in my prayers for His light to find the source of your pain. It’s so frightening to be in the midst of pain and test after test doesn’t provide any answers. Stay strong, stay close to God, we got you covered!❣️
AD, lifting you up to our Lord and Savior. May you find peace and comfort.
AD I will pray for you right now. Keep at the health care people until they find the source of the pain. Ken
Prayers coming your way, Ad. Hoping they find the source of your pain so you can be healed soon.
Prayers for you AD!
Thanks Melanie for your contributions and reflections to this site I can always count on you to make us think of how the readings affect us. Jane thank you for reminding us to keep the people who need our prayers in our minds . Living faith family I am sharing Jane's humility prayer she posted. Humility Litany of Humility O Jesus! Meek and humble of heart, Hear me. From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the desire of being loved, From the desire of being extolled, From the desire of being honored, From the desire of being praised, From the desire of being preferred to others, From the desire of being consulted, “ From the desire of being approved, From the fear of being humiliated, From the fear of being despised, “ From the fear of suffering rebukes, From the fear of being calumniated, From the fear of being forgotten, “ From the fear of being ridiculed, From the fear of being wronged, “ From the fear of being suspected, That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. Amen. Ken
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those in need. Come to the side of those experiencing violence in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, and the Sudan. Please hear the pleas of all those suffering around the world - and give them strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Amen
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