It was a crazy semester. I was in my third year of my master’s degree program in Pastoral Ministry when our baby reached his toddler stage. He would wake up very early in the morning, skip his nap time during the day, and sleep late at night. As a result, this sleep-deprived breastfeeding mother got even lesser sleep.

Finals came, and we had an oral test in one of our major subjects. The only time that I could study was whenever our baby latched at night. I asked the Holy Spirit for wisdom in understanding the Church documents and assigned readings. On the day of the exam, each of us picked a question randomly. To my surprise, I breezed through the test despite feeling like a zombie. My professor even remarked, “Excellent! It’s amazing how you’re able to manage your responsibilities well at home and in school.” I could only respond, “The Holy Spirit is an amazing partner, Father! It’s all grace!” 

Maymay Salvosa Trinidad (christiane.trinidad@gmail.com)

reflect

“The Spirit comes with the tenderness of a true friend and protector to save, to heal, to teach, to counsel, to strengthen, to console.” (St. Cyril of Jerusalem)

“Creator of all things, true Source of light and wisdom . . . give me a sharp sense of understanding . . . and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally.” (St. Thomas Aquinas)

Saint Onesimus, pray for us.

Living the faith is hard work. In today’s reading, James encourages us to persevere in living out the truth. There is no easy path to salvation. We will all encounter struggles and trials, yet we have hope because Jesus is with us. He, too, was tempted in the desert. He knows what it means to struggle against the powers of sin.

¹ James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings. ² Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. ⁵ But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. ⁶ But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, ⁸ since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways. ⁹ The brother in lowly circumstances should take pride in his high standing, 10 and the rich one in his lowliness, for he will pass away “like the flower of the field.” ¹¹ For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass, its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes. So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 119:67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76

R: Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I hold to your promise. (R)  ⁶⁸ You are good and bountiful; teach me your statutes. (R) ⁷¹ It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes. (R) ⁷² The law of your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces. (R) ⁷⁵ I know, O Lord, that your ordinances are just, and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me. (R) ⁷⁶ Let your kindness comfort me according to your promise to your servants. (R)

Gospel | Mark 8:11-13

Let us avoid seeking signs like the Jews did. Rather, let us trust God’s Word. If signs come to us, well and good. However, let us keep our faith simple by accepting God’s Word and following Him. Clarifying what God wants us to do is one thing, but testing Him by seeking signs is a different.

Gospel Acclamation

I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.

¹¹ The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. ¹² He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” ¹³ Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore. 

Reflect

“Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore, seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.” (St. Augustine of Hippo)

Read the Bible in one year! Read 1 THESSALONIANS 1 - 5 today.

There are many kinds of hunger in life—hunger for food, for love, for purpose, for belonging. Saint Augustine said, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” This profound truth reveals that our deepest hunger, beyond the physical, is for God. We may try to fill this hunger with temporary things, but nothing satisfies the longing within us like God’s presence.

In today’s Gospel, we see a vivid example of Jesus responding to the physical hunger of the people, but His actions point to a deeper truth. When He multiplies the loaves and fish, He not only meets their immediate needs but also prefigures the spiritual nourishment He offers through the Eucharist. Just as the people are fed and satisfied, so, too, are we invited to feed on the Bread of Life, which satisfies our soul’s deepest hunger.

The number “seven” in the second account of the multiplication is symbolic of completeness, reminding us that Jesus’ mission is to fill the hunger of all nations. This act of compassion, of giving and sharing, is a sign of God’s love for everyone. This reminds us that, no matter what we hunger for, the ultimate fulfillment comes through Jesus, who invites us to His table and satisfies our spiritual hunger with His grace.

So, where does our hunger lead us—to craving for more food or to feed the hungry? It is not just in our own satisfaction that we find true fulfillment, but in turning our hunger into a call to serve others. In feeding those who are spiritually or physically hungry, we align our hearts with the heart of Jesus, who came to bring wholeness and healing to all. When we hunger for God and His justice, we are invited to be His hands and feet, bringing nourishment to the world around us. 

Fr. Paolo Asprer, SSP

reflection question

What are you hungry for? 

Lord, our hearts are hungry for Your love, and only You can fill the emptiness we carry. As we seek to satisfy our souls, let us find fulfillment in Your grace and presence. May our hearts rest in You, knowing that in Your hands, every longing is met and every hunger is made whole. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ____________________________________