REFLECTION

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd was following him, Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.One of his disciples said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

John 6:1–15

Reflection: Jesus calls us to great things

Jesus was acutely aware that the crowd gathered to hear him speak needed to be fed. We all know how the story ends. There was more food in the baskets in the end than before they started passing them through the crowd.” The message from Jesus is to show “love” and “respect and concern for each other”. When we take a little out of the basket, we should also put a little bit back into the basket for those less fortunate

The same message Jesus gave to the multitude that day, about generosity and giving without counting the cost, is one we hear today. Just think what a miracle it would be if we, like the masses assembled on the hillside, put in a little bit more than what we took out, gave a little bit more of ourselves to those we love than what we expect in return.