The Bread Of Life Feeds Us Daily

Friday of the 2nd week of Eastertide 

Acts 5:34-42
John 6:1-15

In today’s first reading, we learn about Peter and his companions’ trial before the Jewish Supreme Court, where they were defended by Gamaliel, a rabbi and former teacher of Paul. Gamaliel argued that if they were deceivers, their preaching would come to nothing.

The other elders listened to him and ordered Peter and his companions to be flogged, warning them not to preach again. However, the punishment had no effect on them, and they were happy to suffer humiliation for the sake of Christ. This experience encouraged them to preach even more earnestly.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus sought retreat from the crowds due to their heightened messianic expectations, but they gathered around him anyway. He performed the miracle of feeding the five thousand men, demonstrating what can happen when our actions are guided by love and a generous heart.

He teaches us that if we let him work with us, in us, and through us, he will lead us to the promised land of true justice, peace, love, comfort, protection, prosperity, and longevity.

In a world where greed, egocentrism, and selfishness are commonplace, it is heartening to read in today’s Gospel the exclamation line “But all we have are five loaves and two fish,” which shows evidence of generosity.

A generous person is someone who is ready to give more than is expected, whether it be their talents, money, compassion, time, energy, ability to listen, showing understanding, comforting a grieving person, or giving food and drink to those in need. It could be as simple as paying a visit to a prisoner, a sick person, or someone who is neglected by society.

The most remarkable part of generosity is that it does not ask for anything in return. This is where the miracle of love in generosity converges, and under such circumstances, gratitude for what God has done for us changes what we have to enough! Yes, enough for everyone to have a share in the miracle.

Whenever you share your talents with others, especially with those who may not have anything to offer you in return, Jesus Christ is telling you that he will not only satisfy those you are helping but will also multiply your talents a thousand-fold!

Whenever you challenge yourself to help someone in need, assist in feeding the hungry, give drink to the poor, offer your time and energy to help a forgotten, troubled person facing the harsh reality of hitting rock bottom in their life, or assist those going through rough times in their marriage, career, or relationships, while expecting nothing in return, you are like the one who provided the five loaves and two fish in the Gospel today.

Jesus Christ will perform yet another miracle through your sacrifices and make the recipients of your love and generosity satisfied.

As we meditate on the miracle of Jesus Christ feeding the five thousand men, not counting the women and children, and as we experience that miracle today, especially at Mass, through which Christ offers himself as the word of God and the bread of Life, may he continue to nourish and bless us. May we continue to proclaim the Good News uninterrupted. Let us not forget that the real miracle in our contemporary society is to become the provider of the five loaves and two fish, in other words, we must love and be generous towards others because of our love for God.

If we acknowledge our poverty and our dependence on God, then he will fill us with his riches. God will always be there for us, and he will give us more than enough graces and love that we need. Are you willing to “give” more to God, and what are these challenges?

PRAYER

Merciful God fills us with gratitude and gives us a generous heart so that we may freely share with others what he has given to us. Amen. Have a nice day and a great weekend.

Fr Joseph Osho