17-Apr-15

Gospel JN 6:1-15
Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.
A large crowd followed him,
because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.
Jesus went up on the mountain,
and there he sat down with his disciples.
The Jewish feast of Passover was near.
When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”
He said this to test him,
because he himself knew what he was going to do.
Philip answered him,
“Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.”
One of his disciples,
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;
but what good are these for so many?”
Jesus said, “Have the people recline.”
Now there was a great deal of grass in that place.
So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,
and distributed them to those who were reclining,
and also as much of the fish as they wanted.
When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,
“Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”
So they collected them,and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.
When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,
“This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.”
Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.
Reflection:
I recall having been amazed as a child when I first heard this bible story. The idea that Jesus could transform five loaves of bread and two fish into enough food to feed five thousand people seemed incredible.
Today, I am no longer amazed. Like Thomas, when he touched the wounds of Jesus, I have seen, and so I have believed.
In 1988, My Brother's Keeper began by delivering furniture to needy families. Arriving at empty apartments, we realized the families we were serving were also in need of food.
With only prayer and hope to go on, we started collecting food from our volunteers and supporters. It was a beginning. Our food pantry consisted of one six foot tall metal cabinet that held canned goods and cereal. In a given week, we may have provided food to four or five families.
We include in each food box a simple flyer with a picture of Jesus and the words, "I hear your prayers and I do not forget you."
Now, twenty-six years later, we continue to rely on prayer and hope and to "give thanks" just as Jesus did on the mountain.
Today our food pantry takes up three thousand square feet of our operations center. Our food boxes still include canned goods and cereal and through the grace of God, we are also able to include fresh produce, milk, juice, butter, eggs, bread, meats, and, of course, healthy and tasty treats for the children.
The Good Lord has multiplied the loaves once again. Last year, we made close to four thousand food deliveries.
As we enter the homes of those who God entrusts to our care, we see our flyers with the picture of Jesus, posted on the apartment doors and on their refrigerators. His words stand our for all to see, "I hear your prayers and I do not forget you."
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31