Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Witness by Ariel Burger

Seldom do you find a book that truly gives credence to its title, and yet Witness does. Ariel Burger is a Jewish Rabbi who mentored under Elie Wiesel, the writer, teacher, human rights activist, and Holocaust survivor. The author describes how he witnessed under the quiet and unassuming Wiesel whose humility belied his legendary life. Wiesel survived the Holocaust and wrote about his experiences. He was ignored for years until his first book, Night, was finally published. He then went on to teach at Boston University. He inspired generations of people through his writing and teaching. The great lesson we can learn from Elie Wiesel is persevering through suffering. We see this in how he came through what he suffered. He did not give in to anger, despair, or revenge. Elie Wiesel chose to rise above his experience and lead others. I am always inspired by Wiesel’s story and love how he responded to the grace of God in his life.

As we end this week’s reflections, we come to the story of Jesus feeding the crowds again in Matthew 7. There are 4,000 people in the crowd. The disciples have seven bread loaves to share. Again, Jesus doesn’t disappoint. He responds to the needs of the people and multiplies the bread again. This time there are seven baskets left over. Seven. Seven is a number of completion in the Bible. Jesus fills the needs of the people completely. Elie Wiesel would work 2,000 years later, spreading a message of hope and reconciliation. He trusted in God to lead him through, and God brought his life’s work to completion. Let us always trust in God to bring our good work to completion. Amen

Reflection by Br. Matthew Marie, OSB