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Hello and happy August!

The time of the year is ripe with growth. The plants are green, the

flowers are in bloom, the animals are busy. The harvest is on the way.

During this time of the year, take time to thank the Lord for all of the

harvest that we have, for the abundance of food, clothing, an air-

conditioned house, and all of the blessings that Christ bestows on us. 

The Gospel reading for the first Sunday in August says in part, "Then

[Jesus] ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five

loaves and two fish, He looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then He

broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave

them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied." (Matthew 14:19-

20a)

The Lord gives us a lot of directions in our lives. Today, He gave them the

order to sit so that they could enjoy His feast of words and feast of food. It is time for you to sit down, rest, and

listen to Christ. Then Jesus says a blessing over the meal, which we should always do for our meals, and gives

the food to the disciples to distribute. 

It is important to know that Jesus gave the food to the disciples to distribute. He used His disciples to feed those

in need. Today, the same continues for us. Christ uses us to feed those in church and those in need in our

community. Much more than bread, we need to feed others the Bread of Life! The Bread of Life in Word and in

Sacrament is the most important food we can feed. And after we eat of the Bread of Life, we too will be

satisfied and will never hunger again.

May the Bread of Life satisfy you, and prepare you for eternal life.

In Christ alone,

Jon.