St. Alphonsus Liguori
Mt 14:13-21
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”
Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Transformed into Abundance
Today’s Gospel is an invitation to imagine that we are Jesus’ disciples. The end of the day is near, and we are facing a huge hungry crowd of people. Jesus says, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” The only words we utter are, “Us!” and “How?” Jesus asked for the meager resources available of five loaves and the two fish. He takes them and by his blessing there is abundance of food for everyone.
Each of us faces many needs today: family, community, the world, and ourselves. Our limited resources of time, talent and money seem insignificant, a few small loaves and tiny fish. Yet, Jesus says, “Bring them here to me. Bring me your needs, bring me your resources to be transformed into an abundance.”
Do I daily take to heart his divine invitation to place my needs and resources before him for his blessing?
—Russ Long attends St. Peter Catholic Church, the diocese of Charlotte’s only Jesuit parish. He is active in promoting the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, and participating in the Beyond the Spiritual Exercises program.
Prayer
Jesus, you ask for my needs, hopes, and resources to be brought to you. Help me to always trust in you, and ask for your assistance and blessings in everything that I encounter each day. Amen.
—Russ Long