Our poverty: transformed! ...

Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,

he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples,

who in turn gave them to the crowds. 

They all ate and were satisfied … Matthew 14: 19,20a

"In the Eucharist
Catholics experience the solidarity of God, 
a solidarity that can never be exhausted 
and should never stop causing awe.

 ...Jesus gives Himself to us in the Eucharist, shares our journey and,
in fact, makes Himself the food that sustains our lives, 
even when the road gets rough and obstacles slow our steps.

At the same time, in receiving the Eucharist faithfully, the Lord
leads us to follow His path - that of service, sharing and giving; 
and that little that we have, the little that we are, if shared, 
becomes a treasure because the power of God, 
Who is love, descends to our poverty and transforms it."

Pope Francis
Mosaic above: Loaves and Fishes beneath altar ~ Tabgah, Israel

Remembering...

St Lydia 
1st C from city of Thyatira
Seller of purple cloth
Said to be first convert of St Paul
Historical Feast Day - August 3

One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira,

a seller of purple goods, who was a worshipper of God.  The Lord opened her heart

to give heed to what was said by Paul.  And when she was baptized, with her household, 

she besought us saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord,

come to my house and stay."  And she prevailed upon us. - Acts 16: 14,15 

St Lydia , pray for us!