First Reading: Acts 5.:4-42 Psalm 27 Gospel: John 6:1-15
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Jesus: “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?”(Jn 6.9).
The miracle of Jesus, multiplying the loaves and fish, is surely an impressive incident. Image the little boy! He has carried in his little sack-lunch or bag all day long the bread: it was probably half crumbled and the fish getting smelly. But Jesus accepts it, takes it, and thanks the little boy. You know, Jesus accepts whatever we are willing to offer Him. He knows what He is going to do with it.
In fact, Jesus takes the little boy’s bread and fish; He gives thanks and breaks it and gives to everyone as much as they needed and there is still so much left over. The same Jesus is able and wants to use what each of us has to offer Him. Sometimes he has to break us, too, like that bread in order to be the food for the hungry sisters and brothers. He may also shake us up in order to give space to others, because there are many who have not enough space to live as we may do.
In the Gospel of Luke says:
“Give to others and God will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands – all that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you” (Lk 6: 38).
In this gospel story, Jesus seems to tell us to offer something of ourselves. If we let Jesus do that of us and trust Him to take us and what we have, there will always be plenty of left overs.
None of us has really much to give God. Often, we have little more to offer than our foolish pride, our mistakes, fears and problems. But Jesus is willing to take even that. If He took our sins upon Himself, then surely, He will take whatever we trust to put into His Hands.
Let us be generous to God who gave us life and daily material and spiritual food. Nourished by his word, let us be faithful to our promises and be like the disciples who witness whole heartedly.
“The disciples rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name” (Acts 5. 41).
God gave us all of Himself; and me!!!
Fr. Mussie