Sunday, August 2 : Saint Romanos Melodios

Seeing that day was speeding on towards its setting, the apostles of the Redeemer hastened to find him, calling: “Lord, day is almost over and all these people are faint with hunger but, as you know, this is a desert place. Send them away before nightfall so that they can buy bread in the villages. For these people here are not able to fast as we do; to us you have given the strength for it, for you are the heavenly bread of everlasting life. “You are the great Savior of the world by nature and have taught us all understanding; by feeding these people with your words of truth you have directed humankind on the way of salvation by granting them knowledge of righteousness. Their souls have been spiritually nourished but now they need to take care of their bodies… Send them away because we are very anxious… You have taught your disciples to have compassion for all, for you are the heavenly bread of everlasting life…” When Christ heard these words, he replied: “You are mistaken because you do not know that I am the world’s Creator. Yet I watch over the world; I well know what these people here have need of; I am well aware of the desert place and the setting sun but it is I who determined the sun’s course. I know the weariness of the crowd here and I know what I will do on its behalf. I myself will give satisfaction to its hunger for I am the heavenly bread of everlasting life… “You may be thinking: ‘Who is going to feed this crowd in the desert?’ Well, my friends, you should know who I am: I am the one who fed Israel in the desert and gave them bread from heaven. I caused water to gush out of the rock in a dry land and, more still,obtained quails in profusion for them, for I am the heavenly bread of everlasting life…” Increase the multitude of your mercies in us all, O Savior, and as you satisfied the multitude in the desert by your wisdom and nourished them by your power, so satisfy us all with your righteousness by strengthening us in our faith, O Lord. Feed us all, O Compassionate One, grant us your grace and forgiveness for our sins… for you alone are the Messiah, the only merciful One, O Heavenly Bread of everlasting life.
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team