< <  

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

  > >

St. Augustine Zhao Rong
& Companions


Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7, 17-24

View Readings
Similar Reflections

“feed my sheep” (jn 21:17)

“Famine had gripped the whole world.”—Genesis 41:57

In both of today’s Mass readings, there is a famine. In both readings, it’s focused on the twelve tribes, who played a role in ending the famine. Joseph was one of the twelve sons of Israel, that is, Jacob. The Old Testament Joseph stored up grain for future distribution during the coming famine (Gn 41:47-57). The young Jesus stored up spiritual grain for the first thirty years of His life, through the help of His foster-father, St. Joseph. Then He called a new Twelve, His apostles, to help distribute this “stored-up” spiritual food to a world which was starved for hearing the Word of the Lord. The twelve, in both cases, helped to distribute food to the world.

What about now? The famine is of staggering proportions. There are shortages of food, shortages of trust in God, shortages of holiness, and a famine for hearing the Word of the Lord (Am 8:11).

The Church is the new Twelve, built on the foundation of the Twelve Apostles (Mt 10:1;cf Eph 2:20; Rv 21:14). Jesus has stored up spiritual grain to feed the world with the bread of God’s Word (Mt 4:4) and the Bread of Life, that is, the Holy Eucharist (Jn 6:35). Now the challenge is in the distribution of this spiritual food. In yesterday’s Gospel, Jesus called for laborers for the harvest (Mt 9:37-38). He calls us to feed the hungry (Mt 25:35, 42). Within our specific vocation, Jesus calls each of us to feed His famished lambs (see Jn 21:15-17). You are an answer to Jesus’ invitation for workers. Answer His call.

Prayer:  Father, use me to bring Your nourishment to a famished world.

Promise:  “The reign of God is at hand!” —Mt 10:7

Praise:  St. Augustine Zhao Rong was a soldier who converted to the Catholic faith while escorting a French bishop. He became a priest and spread the Gospel until arrested. He died as a martyr while in prison.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2025, through July 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio September 25, 2024"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.