February 11, 2017

Gospel: Mk 8:1-10
Soon afterward, Jesus was in the midst of another large crowd, that obviously had nothing to eat. So he called his disciples and said to them, “I feel sorry for these people, because they have been with me for three days and now have nothing to eat. If I send them to their homes hungry, they will faint on the way; some of them have come a long way.”
His disciples replied, “Where, in a deserted place like this, could we get enough bread to feed these people?” He asked them, “How many loaves have you?” And they answered, “Seven.”
Then he ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Taking the seven loaves and giving thanks, he broke them, and handed them to his disciples to distribute. And they distributed them among the people. They also had some small fish. So Jesus said a blessing, and asked that these be shared as well.
The people ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. Now those who had eaten were about four thousand in number. Jesus sent them away, and immediately got into the boat with his disciples, and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

REFLECTION:
“Eva gives way to the Ave Maria“
“The woman said ‘The serpent deceived me and I ate.’“ This was the defense of Eve when Yahweh spoke to Adam and Eve. Then God pronounced his judgment against the Serpent! To Adam and Eve, God makes known to them the painful consequences of their “original sin.“ Yet even as Yahweh banishes Adam and Eve from paradise, the Good News is announced “I will make you enemies, you and the woman, your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head and you will strike his heel.“ (Gen 3:15)
From eternity the serpent would seek out that prophesied woman who would bear the offspring that would crush his head! The serpent or the dragon (see Rev. 12) would do all in his power to search and destroy that Woman who would be his nemesis! But the serpent was doomed from eternity!
When our Lady of Lourdes appeared to Bernadette she introduced herself as THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION! She was the woman, sinless from the womb! Through this favored daughter, the Creator would offer to mankind the grace to reverse the mistake of EVA. Through the obedient handmaid whom the Archangel Gabriel addressed “AVE MARIA“ the prophecy of Gen 3:15 would be fulfilled! In a marvelous twist the serpent that beguiled Eva would be overcome by the Woman! Oh how wonderful to celebrate the beautiful postscript to the “Paradise Lost“ with the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes! Joyfully we pray: “O AVE MARIA, blessed is the fruit of thy womb, JESUS! AMEN!“