Healing is something we all seek at some point in our lives. Whether we have battled a life-threatening disease or suffered through a common cold, we have all sought physical healing. In this week's Gospel, Jesus reveals his power to heal and bring forth new life. He also longs to heal you of the things that are preventing you from growing in love for him—whether physical or spiritual. Have you ever approached him with the faith of Jairus or the hemorrhaging woman? How much do you trust his power to heal your body and soul?

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Control is a central theme in our lives, and this week's readings for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time invite us to reflect on who truly holds the reins. Through the imagery of the Great Storm, we are reminded of the divine authority of God amidst life's tumultuous moments. In the story of Job, God challenges Job's doubts, emphasizing His role as the omnipotent creator capable of stilling all storms. This powerful message is echoed in the Gospel as Jesus calms the violent squall that terrifies the disciples, questioning their faith in the process. We all encounter storms, both minor daily struggles and profound sufferings, and are urged to trust in God's guidance. As you face your own storms, consider whether you are relinquishing control to God or trying to steer alone. Is your faith strong enough to trust in His power to sustain you through life's greatest challenges?

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The more we come to know God through study and prayer, the more we realize how truly his thoughts are not our thoughts, and our ways are not his ways (Isaiah 55). What we assume God would do is so often challenged by how the events of our life actually unfold. Today's readings draw us into this mystery of God's complete other-ness.

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Today's Gospel demands our conversion. Conversion is a two-step process. It requires a change of heart and then a turning around of sorts. It is both an interior and exterior change, moving one closer to God. It could be likened to re-aligning yourself to follow your north-facing compass—it first requires a knowledge that you are no longer headed north, and then the willingness to change paths in order to head north.

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Knowing what is about to come, Jesus shares a meal with his disciples. Sharing a meal with family or friends is an intimate and joyous occasion. Gathering around the table and sharing food together are often some of people's favorite memories they reflect on. Jesus wants to have this closeness with us, and thus invites us to share in a meal with him every Sunday. What an amazing gift he leaves us with. An invitation to break bread with him.

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Have you ever felt a tug to do something out of the ordinary? Maybe say something to someone you've never met before or call up an old friend to check in even though it's been years? This tug can make us feel uncomfortable, as we aren't sure why we have this feeling we need to act, but we feel almost disobedient if we don't follow through. Often times, this is the Holy Spirit. He puts things on our hearts in order for us to be Christ to others. Through Baptism and Confirmation, we have the Holy Spirit living in us. Next time you feel prompted to reach out to another, be bold in love and ask the Holy Spirit to give you the courage to follow through.

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Fire. It's intense, beautiful, dangerous, overwhelming, warm, and all consuming. Fire can be used to warm us on a cold night, or as a way to gather friends on a summer evening. It can also yield immense destruction. Fire is powerful. This is the image that we hear about today as we learn more about the Holy Spirit. The Apostles have tongues of fire descend upon them. At our Confirmation, our hearts are set ablaze with the Holy Spirit. Think of a blazing fire, it consumes everything nearby, without hesitation or prejudice. Are we really ablaze with the love of Christ? Do we radically and unabashedly share him with those around us, setting their hearts ablaze, too?

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The readings today invite us to meditate on a simple truth of our faith—God is love, and he loves us. This sentiment might not seem that impressive. These are phrases that many of us have heard since Sunday school while we were coloring pictures of Moses holding the Ten Commandments. It probably seems obvious to us . . . but that's the danger.

This truth can seem so obvious that we begin to ignore it and even disregard it. As we grow up, we forget how desperately we want to be loved. We forget that God meets this desire and exceeds it! These words hold all of our desires within them. They are powerful, deep, rich, and we can never reach the end of meditating on this mystery. "God is love, and he loves us"—a bottomless well of overflowing living waters.

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