New Testament

“Jesus Left the House”: When God Feeds in Abundance

/ chicoinematt / Leave a comment

By: Mauro Russo

Editor’s Note: Articles originally published on Pane Vivo.

A Reflection on Matthew 14:13-21

Jesus left the house, crossed the sea and withdrew to a deserted place. But the crowd followed him. And seeing them, he had compassion on them and healed the sick. This is the heart of Matthew 14:13-21, and every time I read it I stop on one word alone: compassion.

It is not the same as duty. It is not the same as giving alms. I can give alms without feeling anything for that person, for their poverty, for their pain. The gesture is concrete but remains cold, antiseptic. Compassion is something else: it is entering into another person’s pain, taking it on, feeling it as your own.

Jesus did not heal to build an audience. He had no need of recognition. He was the Almighty. Jesus healed because he loved. And those he healed felt it: they felt understood, not merely assisted.

Continue reading →
Thank you for sharing!

How Matthew 14 is the Best Illustration of the Humanity of Jesus

/ chicoinematt

Matthew 14 is one of the Gospel’s most jam-packed and emotionally charged chapters, and it begins with real grief: John the Baptist’s murder. After his disciples take the body and report it to Jesus, “Jesus heard this, he withdrew… to a deserted place by himself” (Matthew 14:13). That detail matters. It shows that Christ’s miracles are never detached from truth about the human heart—Jesus does not suppress mourning or treat loss as something merely “in the background.” In the midst of danger and public attention, He chooses solitude, letting grief and prayer have their proper place before anything else happens. 

From that secluded place, Matthew sets a pattern that reveals Jesus’ humanity in a striking way: He withdraws to grieve and pray, yet His compassion remains fully awake. Aquinas and the tradition gathered in the Catena Aurea highlight this withdrawal after John’s death and the way the crowds, though following at a distance, meet a Jesus whose mercy is not erased by sorrow. In other words, the chapter is not merely a sequence of astonishing wonders; it is a story of a God who enters real human experience, loss, loneliness, and prayer, and then responds, with power and tenderness, to the needs right in front of Him.

Peter walks on water
Continue reading →
Thank you for sharing!

Saint John the Baptist: The Humble Harbinger to Jesus

/ chicoinematt

Every year on June 24, the Church celebrates the birth of Saint John the Baptist. That alone makes him remarkable. Aside from the Blessed Virgin Mary, John is the only saint whose birth the Church celebrates in the liturgy.

Yet John’s uniqueness began long before his birth.

The Gospel tells us that when Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, the child in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy at the presence of Jesus (Luke 1:41). Long before he preached in the wilderness, baptized in the Jordan, or pointed crowds toward the Messiah, John recognized Christ. In a sense, the first person to acknowledge Jesus as the Savior was an unborn child.

John’s entire life would follow that same pattern. He existed to point beyond himself and toward Christ. Even his name reflected God’s plan. Saint John Paul II noted that the name John means “God is benevolent.” Through John the Baptist, God prepared His people for the coming of His Son and revealed His desire to save the world.

The feast of Saint John the Baptist is therefore much more than a celebration of an extraordinary birth. It invites us to reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation and on the man chosen to prepare the way for Jesus Christ.

Continue reading →
Thank you for sharing!

When God Writes Straight on Crooked Lines

/ chicoinematt

“All Things Work Together for Good”

By: Mauro Russo

The Lord carries out his plans through our lives without ever cancelling our will or our freedom. Starting from this truth, the words of the Apostle Paul ring out as an absolute certainty: “All things work together for good for those who trust in the Lord.” (Romans 8:28)

This is why even the most tragic of our stories, however irreparable it may seem, the Lord always has the power to turn into something beautiful.

But this is not an abstract promise. It is a promise that Scripture has already proven, more than once, in ways no one could have imagined.

Continue reading →
Thank you for sharing!

The Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul Explained

/ chicoinematt

There are saints whose lives feel instantly approachable. Thérèse with her quiet trust, Joseph with his hidden faithfulness, Martha with her anxious hospitality that still looks suspiciously like my kitchen on a Tuesday night. And then there is Saint Paul, the former persecutor of Christians who needed nothing less than a divine flash of light to turn his life around.

At first glance, celebrating a man literally knocked off a horse by Jesus Himself can feel disconnected from our own slow and ordinary spiritual lives. Most of us do not encounter blinding lights or audible voices from heaven. Our conversions usually happen in coffee-stained prayer journals, in hurried acts of contrition, or in the quiet determination to try again after another failure. Yet the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, celebrated each year on January 25, may be the most reassuring feast on the Church’s calendar precisely because Paul did not begin as a saint. He began as a mess, and God loved him anyway.

Grace Doesn’t Ask Permission

The Acts of the Apostles introduces Saul of Tarsus not as a seeker or skeptic but as a man actively “breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.” He is not wandering toward God with doubts or half-formed prayers. He is charging in the opposite direction, armed with authority and convinced that he is doing holy work by destroying the Church.

Continue reading →
Thank you for sharing!

The Great Biblical Sprint Championship

/ chicoinematt

Pre-Race Analysis

Shalom, faithful followers! Welcome to what promises to be an absolutely electrifying evening of Biblical athletics. I’m Matthew here with my colleague Luke the Physician for tonight’s highly anticipated 100-cubit dash.

“Luke, we’ve got an absolutely stellar field tonight. What are your thoughts on our competitors?”

“Well Matthew, this might be the most prestigious field we’ve seen assembled since the days of our fathers. John, the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved, remains one of the favorites – even several years after his legendary Empty Tomb victory, he still possesses that same passionate energy that helped him outrun Peter that momentous morning.”

“Indeed, and let’s not overlook the Loving Father. He’s dominated the long-distance circuit – that sprint across the field to embrace his Prodigal Son is still discussed in every village square. The question before us is whether he can translate that endurance into pure speed.”

“Paul’s someone to watch too, Matthew. This zealous runner from Tarsus has been absolutely transformed on the racing circuit lately – having completely changed his running style after a dramatic fall on the Damascus track! And speaking of surprising speed, the mysterious Naked Runner from Gethsemane – likely John Mark himself – has proven he can escape even Roman guards!”

“And completing our field is Zacchaeus – don’t let his short stature fool you! Anyone who can scale a sycamore tree that quickly surely has the agility for this race. Though I must say, it’s refreshing to see him competing openly rather than trying to see over the crowd!”

The Race

The runners take their marks…

AND THEY’RE OFF!

John and the Naked Runner burst out front like deer from a lion’s den! But wait, here comes the Loving Father, showing surprising speed for a distance specialist! Through 30 cubits, it’s John by a sandal’s length, the Loving Father gaining ground, with Paul and the Naked Runner running like twin lambs for third!

Zacchaeus is making his move through the pack – that tree-climbing agility is serving him well! At the halfway point, John still leads but the Loving Father is RIGHT THERE! The Naked Runner has slipped into third – he’s living up to his reputation for unexpected appearances!

Down the final stretch they come! The Loving Father has pulled even with John! Paul making one final charge – the same determination we’ve seen in all his recent races! Ten cubits to go – John and the Loving Father matching stride for stride! The crowd is crying out like at the walls of Jericho!

AND AT THE LINE… IT’S THE LOVING FATHER BY A TUNIC’S LENGTH! What a finish! What a race!

Victory Analysis

“Luke, let us recall what our eyes have just witnessed. You can see John had the early lead, but observe the Loving Father’s form – arms wide open, just like when he embraced his returning son. Those open arms must have been the blessing that carried him to victory!”

“Indeed, Matthew. According to the water clock, the Loving Father crossed in time to complete two full psalms, with John following in the space of a single selah. The Naked Runner took third, while Paul – who’s certainly become one of our most dedicated racers – finished fourth. Zacchaeus, though finishing last, certainly proved he belonged in this field!”

Post-Race Words

With our victor, the Loving Father

“I must testify, I was prepared to run twice this distance if needed. When you’re running with love in your heart, you find strength like Samson of old. John ran with the vigor of youth – he reminds me of my own son with that boundless energy. But love… love will always find a way to cross the finish line first.”

Final Thoughts

Tonight’s race showed us that in the greatest of competitions, love conquers all. The Loving Father’s victory serves as a beautiful reminder that God’s love will always outrun our expectations, meeting us wherever we are on life’s path. And perhaps most touching was seeing Zacchaeus, once hidden in trees, now standing proudly among his fellow runners, and Paul showing how completely a runner can be transformed when racing for the right cause…

Matthew and Luke the Physician, your faithful servants in these games. May peace be upon you all, and we shall meet again at the next great contest…

Thank you for sharing!

How the Letter of Saint James Guides Your Speech (and Heart)

/ chicoinematt

Saint James the Less

Editor’s Note: Post originally published on October 28, 2021.

The Sacred Scriptures contain truth and wisdom from God. These truths are eternal and ever relevant— and practical. When you live in accordance with the Word of God everything in your life is ordered. This doesn’t mean you will be free of struggles and suffering. However, you will experience an otherworldly joy and peace more often than when you don’t follow the Word of God.

One of my favorite books of the Bible is the Letter of Saint James. Despite being a short epistle (five chapters) it’s rich in wisdom and practical advice. Chapter 3 is especially relevant for my battle against sin. Saint James details out the importance of how your words can guide your spiritual life. The old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me” is false. Words matter. How you phrase something helps or hurts people. The Apostle gives a few tangible examples in chapter three of his epistle showing how speech helps or hinders the spiritual life.

Bridle the Tongue

How many times this past week have you said something you regretted? Emotions get high in stressful situations. This year (it still feels like 2020 right?) has tossed enough curveballs at us to last ten lifetimes. Pandemic. Social unrest. Inflation. And other unimaginable situations hit you. Even something simple as workplace conflict with a coworker can set your tongue shooting verbal fireworks.

Kindness in words

Saint James writes, “If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also (James 3:2). The word bridle refers to headgear placed on a horse (including reins and a mouth-bit) to help restrain the animal from running too fast—knocking a rider off. It helps allow the rider to communicate with the horse. Synonyms include check, curb, tame, rule, or govern. The saint tells his readers the perfect man can govern his whole body when he keeps his words in check.

Words are manifestations of thoughts. In my life, I tend to lash out verbally at my family or at work when I internalize negative thoughts. Short-staffing issues at work has drained everyone in my workplace. Add increased demands and it is a potential emotional powder keg. How am I going to control my negative feelings amid a stressful situation? How can you prevent your tongue from steering you off the path of holiness?

Tongue is a rudder of the body

Rudder of the Mouth

Saint James calls the tongue rudder of the mouth. Boats were a common mode of travel in ancient times. The rudder is the part of a ship that steers—gives direction for the boat’s journey. So too, your words can guide how your daily travels with go. During the stressful storms (of a Monday or frantic weekend shift) how do you react? How do you show your frustrations?

While words (thoughts externalized) steer your attitude and have a big impact on your day don’t lose hope if you begin the day “sailing” away from your destination. The Holy Spirit is always present to help redirect you on the holy path. If you’ve ever sailed on a boat, you know how the impact airstreams are and how you need to adjust your sails. God sometimes allows you to suffer setbacks for you to realize you aren’t always in control. You need help. Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak—it’s a strength and sign of humility.

Tongue is a fire James 3:6

Words are Fire (of Love or Hate)

The third image Saint James compares the tongue to is fire. Fire is often associated with being a destructive force. I remember teachers and my parents cautioning me against playing with flames. Stop. Drop. And roll. “Only you can prevent forest fires.” These words are imprinted into my memory forever. I stayed away from fire out of love and obedience to my teachers and parents. Saint James writes, “The tongue is also a fire. It exists among our members as world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna (James 3:6). Words have the power to set tempers ablaze. You don’t have to search far on the Internet to know how true this is.

Fire heals

But there’s another aspect of fire you might not immediately realize—healing. The Catholic Church’s doctrine of purgatory compares the process of being purged from impurities as painful. Saint John Vianney wrote, “The fire of Purgatory is the same fire as the fire of Hell; the difference between them is that the fire of Purgatory is not everlasting.” What a thought-provoking quote! To tie-up this point (before I fall into a theological rabbit-hole), fire is in one sense destructive, but in another a means to purify. God’s love is all-encompassing and fervent it sometimes it feels painful.

Saint Catherine of Siena fire quote

From Apostle to Doctor of the Church (A Brief Aside)

Saint Catherine of Siena often referred to the Holy Trinity’s love as a fire. Writing to Brother Matteo di Francesco Tolomei of the Order of the Preachers, Catherine offers words of encouragement that hope is founded in the love of God, “kindled by the fire of divine charity.” In another letter, to religious sisters, she longed for the passing of their suffering in saying,

Dearest mother and daughter in Christ sweet Jesus: I Catherine, servant and slave of the servants of Jesus Christ, write to you in His precious Blood: with desire to see you so clothed in the flames of divine charity that you may bear all pain and torment, hunger and thirst, persecution and injury, derision, outrage and insult, and everything else, with true patience; learning from the Lamb suffering and slain, who ran with such burning love to the shameful death of the Cross (emphasis mine).

Conclusion

Going back to Saint James’ letter, the apostle wanted to remind his fellow Christians how important words can harm or help in the spiritual life. Amid stressful situations you may have to bridle your tongue against harsh language. The mouth is a rudder of the body and sins like gossip, anger, calumny, and lying can steer you off course. Finally, his imagery of the tongue being akin to a fire ablaze in a forest teaches how words can build up (or tear down) your relationship with God and others.

Related Links

3 Ways the Epistle of James Will Help You Succeed in Daily Life

What Can St. James Teach Us About Redemptive Suffering?

James 3

Thank you for sharing!