#MyMassTakeaway: Women and Children DO Count

Today’s the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Find the Mass Readings here: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 29, 2018

My takeaway:

That time when Jesus fed the 5000?

That’s 5000 men. Not counting women and children.

But Jesus fed them all. Men. Women. Children.

Everybody.

We all count in Jesus’ eyes.

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#MySundayBest – just waiting for my husband to come back with my donuutsss (I had great Mass behavior today 😜). #MyMassTakeaway – Women and children DO count. In the Gospel today Jesus fed 5000. Five thousand men, that is. In those days, women and children didn't count. Literally. So that number only represents the men. A fraction of the crowd that had gathered. When Jesus hears how many hungry people there are, he replies, "Five thousand men?! Plus who *knows* how many women and children?! 😱😱😱". Nope. He purses his lips, bows His head, and says "Get to work, boys!" With a blessing He sends the apostles off to feed those five thousand. Only he doesn't *just* feed five thousand. Because in Jesus' eyes, women and children *DO* count. So Jesus took those five loaves and two fishes and made sure there was enough for all the men. *And* all the women. *And* all the hungry children. And Jesus knows how children are. Because He made sure they'd have leftovers. How can you reach out to those who "don't count" today? All the women, children, elderly, homeless, immigrants. The marginalized. The forgotten. At least pause for a moment to pray. Because Jesus sees them, and He has the heart and power to provide for their needs and more. But then step out and do something. Even if it's something small. A cup of lemonade for your elderly neighbor. A kind smile for the woman hauling her screaming kids around the grocery store. A donation to your local charity. Feed their hearts. Feed their souls. Make sure there's enough love to go around. And some leftovers for later too.

A post shared by Sara Estabrooks (@tojesussincerely) on Jul 29, 2018 at 6:22am PDT

Thoughts from my blogging friends:

So many people joined the linkup this week!

How about I share my Fave Five? And you can head over to Instagram and follow #MyMassTakeaway to catch the rest.

@UnderThyRoof

Kirby reflects about acknowledging God’s blessings in our lives. She encourages us to “gather the scraps.”

I want to gather the scraps.

I want to enjoy every moment of my blessings so that nothing is wasted.

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Today the Gospel was the story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Today something struck me – no one takes note of the miraculous work at hand until afterwards. The Apostles see Jesus receive what few food items a young boy had to offer and how he gave thanks for that offering, but there is no mention of how the food multiplied until the scraps are gathered back so that nothing will be wasted. Only after the working of God, and our enjoyment of that work, is it acknowledged that something amazing has happened. How often do we fail to see the good works of God when they are currently happening? How could I do better to “gather the scraps” more regularly so I can remember how abundant is even the remains of the gifts God has given? #mymasstakeaway with @tojesussincerely

A post shared by Kirby Hoberg (@underthyroof) on Jul 29, 2018 at 9:08am PDT

@mkthissen

Mary has some encouraging words about giving when we feel inadequate.

It doesn’t matter if my talents are small.

It doesn’t matter if others do something better than me.

God gave me my gifts and talents, and He calls me to give them all back, 100%, no matter how big or how small.

He will do great things with them.

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@HealingHeartofJesus

Laura draws on the second reading in her takeaway.

I was taken by St. Paul’s line about God being “over all and through all and in all.” But I didn’t really know where to go with it.

So I’m loving Laura’s thoughts and takeaway from this reading!

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As I read the second reading for today (Ep 4:1-6), my body is filled with peace. In this reading, Paul points out the call we all have to live with humility, gentleness, patience and love, and to surrender all to Jesus so we may be united as one in the Body of Christ. Is this call easy to live? Of course not! But we are all called to live as Jesus did, and Jesus’ life was not easy! But praise the Lord above, for there is hope for our souls — which are weak on their own, but filled with strength, courage and love when united to Jesus — as in Him we have all we need to live out this call of love in all that we do! Paul writes, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” When we open our hearts to Him, He can fill us with all that He is. Then, the call to live with humility, gentleness, patience, and love — even as this requires sacrifice and suffering — becomes easy, sweet and the greatest desire of our hearts. May we open our hearts to Jesus today, so He can transform us to live out this beautiful call to love with His Love. #mymasstakeaway @tojesussincerely

A post shared by Healing Heart of Jesus (@healingheartofjesus) on Jul 29, 2018 at 7:26am PDT

@SurprisedByMarriage

Jen and Logan ask what we need to put in our basket, to give to Jesus?

I really loved this visual for myself. I can just see myself arranging my gifts and talents to be a presentable offering for the Lord.

And I think it’s a fun idea for our family! I’d like to try it with the kids this week.

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In the Gospel this weekend, Jesus feeds 5,000 people by multiplying one boy’s loaves and fish. He did so much with such a small sacrifice! Our priest challenged us to bring our own basket to Jesus and said it doesn’t matter what’s in it. All that matters is that we give Him SOMETHING. Like Father said, “If you do not bring your basket to Him, He cannot fix you.” 💥 What do you need to put in your basket to give Jesus? What miracle do you want Him to do in your life? And what are you willing to give Him?? 🥖🐟 He wants to help us – just step out in faith. 🙏🏼 #mymasstakeaway 🔸”The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.” -Responsorial Psalm 🔸

A post shared by Jen & Logan (@surprisedbymarriage) on Jul 28, 2018 at 5:47pm PDT

@StumblingTowardSainthood

Kate always shares wisdom-filled insights!

Today, she says that sometimes “what we need is the grace to live without.”

Isn’t that so true?

I feel that way right now. We just moved away from all our family and friends. (Not toooo far away, but still…)

And I just know that this is an opportunity for God to step in, and show me what He can do, when I have to do without.

I’m expecting a lot of spiritual and personal growth in the next few years.

And I’m praying for the grace to cooperate in God’s perfect plan for me.

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It isn't often that the Psalm stands out most to me. But this responsorial verse really stood out to me. I think it is easy to get frustrated with God when it seems like He isn't answering our prayers, especially when in our minds they seem like perfectly reasonably requests. But God gives us what we need, and sometimes what we need is the grace to live without whatever we requested from God. It kind of reminds me of something my dad (@bauer.scott) would say to us "We always get what we want. Sometimes, we don't know what we want until we get it." God *always* gives us what we need. Sometimes, we don't know what we need until we get it. #MyMassTakeaway with @tojesussincerely #CatholicsOnline #Catholicblogger #SundayFunday #CatholicsofInstagram #BISsisterhood #Christianblogger #FaithBlogger

A post shared by Kate Hendrick (@stumblingtowardsainthood) on Jul 29, 2018 at 6:49am PDT

Read and Follow all the reflections on #MyMassTakeaway!

It was harder than I thought to narrow it down to my five favorites.

Make sure you hop on over to Instagram and check out all the posts in the linkup. Follow the hashtag while you’re there.

And use the hashtag to join the conversation each week!

Your turn:

I want to know your Mass Takeaway too! Comment with your thoughts on the readings, your pastor’s homily, or anything that struck you during your time at Mass.