Father, if I think about it and lay down my ego, I know there have been times when I knew that I had the power to help someone and yet I did nothing. I'm certain there are also times when I have had the power to help someone with simple assistance, which would have seemed like a miracle to them and still I did nothing or maybe I was just too busy to notice. I am searching my soul to see when I did not jump in and lend a free hand, instead deliberately avoiding the situation so I didn't have to do anything.

Father, I do not like the fact that I probably have looked away as if I did not know someone was struggling. I could run an errand or go to the store for someone when they don't have transportation. What is a few miles out of my way when they have no way? If any of this behavior lives within me, I want to change this about myself. Banks loan money for luxuries, not necessities and physical things we can go without. Banks do not loan money for life's necessities such as gas, electric, food and rent. As Jesus reveals in the Scripture below, He responded to the needs of the people using the resources that they had at that time. It helps me to realize as well that I have the power to respond to someone using the resources I have at this time. This little bit of help may show up as miracle in their Life but it's just another day in my Life. I also realize that it is best to consider my assistance a gift and not a loan. My Good feeling of giving is my gift in return, plus it's just the right thing to do.

If I am looking for reward for doing Good deeds here on earth, then the applause and attention will be that reward and You will not need to give me anything because I will have received my reward. This gives looking for praise and applause from others new meaning. I want to be so present and authentic that the reward I seek is from You, not what someone else gives me or any recognition I may receive from others. It's just like what is written in Matthew 6:2 - that when we give to the needy, do not brag about it as we are sounding trumpets for our Good deed as the hypocrites do to be honored by others. When they are honored by others, they have their reward. Which means no reward is due to them by You.

Oh my Goodness Father, thank You for this awareness of looking for recognition from others when Your recognition is all that matters. Thank You, I will give as I can because it is the right thing to do and know that my reward for doing Good will come from You.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark

Mark 8:1-10

1 In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, He summoned the disciples and said,

2 "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat.

3 If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance."

4 His disciples answered Him, "Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?"

5 Still He asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" "Seven," they replied.

6 He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves He gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to His disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd.

7 They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also.

8 They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over -- seven baskets.

9 There were about four thousand people. He dismissed them

10 and got into the boat with His disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ

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