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Monday, August 3, 1998

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Jeremiah 28:1-17
Psalm 119:29, 43, 79, 80, 95, 102
Matthew 14:13-21

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little + all + jesus = great miracle

"He took the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed and broke them and gave the loaves to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the people. All those present ate their fill." —Matthew 14:19-20

Although the Lord created the world out of nothing, He often makes something more out of something. He did this in His multiplication of the loaves and fishes.

The Lord commands us to give Him the "little something" of our lives. Then He will multiply it to feed the masses, provided that our "little something" is all of our "little something." The Lord multiplies only our "all," and, no matter how little, our "all" will feed a countless multitude both physically and spiritually when Jesus multiplies it.

Decide to give like Mary. Mary's life was very little by the standards of the world. She was a nobody whose only Son was executed as a criminal. However, Mary gave her little "all" to God, and He multiplied her life to such a degree that she became the mother of God, the mother of the Church, and the queen of heaven.

By holding back from God part of your life, you lose your life; by giving Him all your life, you gain your life (Lk 9:24). Joyfully give Him your "all."

Prayer:  Father, may I not waste my life by holding on to part of it.

Promise:  "The prophet who prophesies peace is recognized as truly sent by the Lord only when his prophetic prediction is fulfilled." —Jer 28:9

Praise:  Four-year-old Tony eagerly joins in to pray over people and to be prayed for at his parents' small Christian community gatherings.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert J. Buschmiller, February 17, 1998


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 25, 1998