In his song, “Lose Yourself,” the artist Eminem raps, “the mood all changed.”
We all know that moment when the mood changes, when life turns from lighthearted to deadly serious. That happens in today’s Gospel. Jesus has just heard that John the Baptist, his cousin, forerunner, and friend, has been murdered. As Matthew tells us, “When Jesus heard of it, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.” Until now, he had been teaching in parables and healing quietly. But John’s death signals a new phase. The shadow of the Cross begins to fall. Evil shows its teeth.
And how does Jesus respond? Not with rage or despair. He goes to a lonely place to go into deep communion with his Father. From that silence comes action. He feeds the multitude. Out of grief comes generosity. Out of sorrow, life.
This is the rhythm of every disciple’s life. When tragedy or violence breaks our hearts, we face a choice. We can react, or we can retreat into prayer — like and with Christ. This is the hidden place where pain becomes compassion and compassion becomes self-gift.
Lord Jesus, when life intensifies, draw me into Your quiet strength. In that hidden place with You and the Father, turn my heartbreak into the bread of love for the world. Amen.
— Father John Muir
©LPi
General Mass Notes
Welcome
Mass Intentions
Universal Prayer (Petitions)
A.
