Dominican Republic August 1
August 1
Team engages prayer.
When our eyes are opened to the realities of poverty do you see God’s aid? The gospel reminds us that God created our world and was so moved toward it’s redemption that He gave the richest treasure, HIS only son. This good news is for all regardless of circumstances.
Jesus interacted directly with poverty, disease, and sickness look at this more closely in Mark 9 & 14.
Reflection Reading:
On your own Mark 9:35-36
Matthew 9:35
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
Matt 14:14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Tertullian an early disciple wrote the following, “It is our care for the helpless, our practice of lovingkindness, that brands us in the eyes of many of our opponents. ‘Look!’ they say, ‘How they love one another!’ Look how they are prepared to die for one another.”‘
Mark 6:34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
