Dear family members and friends:  The Gospel of today gives us a very strong base for our faith in the Lord. Jesus multiplied the loaves and fed the multitude with the special assistance from the disciples. They also might have been excited to be part of such a miraculous event. But then comes the most difficult situation as the disciples were in the sea when there was heavy wind and waves. But Jesus went to them walking on the waters and pacified them. Peter wanted to walk to Jesus on the waters, but as he looked down he was afraid of being drowned and he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Remember, Jesus can come to any of our life situations and helps us. Let our eyes be upon Him and pray, “Lord, save me.” Our life situations should not be allowed to put down our faith. Let Jesus enter into the boat of our life that it may move quite calm. Amen

Dear family members and friends: Today’s Gospel shows us the result of the compassion of the Lord. Jesus healed the sick and later as per the request of the disciples He fed them by multiplying the five loaves and two fish. There were still plenty of loaves left after the multitude ate to their satisfaction. Jesus is always compassionate and sometimes He needs our initiative to act. In today’s communion antiphon we pray. “You have given us, O Lord, bread from heaven, endowed with all delights and sweetness in every taste.” We need this spiritual food for our satisfaction. In the first reading we are invited to listen diligently to Him and eat what is good and delight yourselves in rich food. Let us have the great desire for this food which gives us all delights and sweetness. Amen.

What if God appears to us and tells us to ask what we need, how we will respond? The answer Solomon gave was, “give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil..”  The 1^st reading of today says, “It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.” In today’s Gospel Jesus tells about the kingdom of heaven as hidden treasure, precious pearl and net thrown into the sea which gathers fish of every kind. What is important is to discern what is good for us and collect that. St.Paul reminds us that what is from God is for good. Let us pray for the grace to discern between good and evil and find joy in what God provides us. Amen

In today’s Gospel Jesus says three parables about the kingdom of heaven. The first one is about a man who sowed good seed in his field, but when it grew up weeds also grew up. Jesus gives the explanation saying it is the act of the enemy. That enemy is the devil who sows evil things among the good deeds of the people. It reminds us that in spite of the good deeds we do, the devil is very alert to bring in evil thoughts and evil deeds. Also, we have to be very careful in weeding out also, that means there is the danger of some people being unnecessarily criticised or judged while correcting them. We have the sacramental opportunity to repent ourselves and get rid of all evils from our life. Amen.

Dear family members and friends, Jesus uses a very familiar parable to explain the Kingdom of God: parable of the sower. Jesus presents four situations where the seed was sown. He Himself gives the explanation of the parable. It represents four types of people who respond to the Word of the Kingdom. All the people except the last group hear the Word of the Kingdom but do not receive it into their hearts.

Only those who are prepared well and are open to the Word and receive it into their heart so as to produce fruits and yields pleasing to God and people. As we listen the word of God various distractions may come into our hearts. Let us be prepared through prayer and repentance to receive the Word of God fruitfully. Amen