Extract
Even by today’s standards, the crowds that gathered to hear Jesus preach and teach were often enormous.
When a crowd of five thousand gathered, he asked Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” Philip answered, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little”. (John 6:7)
Taking five barley loaves and two fish carried by a boy, He blessed them, gave thanks and had them distributed among the people. They ate, “as much as they wanted”. (John 6:11)
Thought
I sometimes wonder about the little boy who gave away his five barley loaves to feed the five thousand!
It reminds me of words once spoken by Pope Saint John Paul II. He said, “None are so poor that they have nothing to give, and none are so rich that they have nothing to receive”.
Reflection
Lord Jesus, fill my life with simple acts of kindness and love towards your people.
Prayer: Joy (St Mother Teresa)
I smile, and the world smiles with me.
I laugh, and the world laughs too.
I praise you, dear God, and the world breaks out in song.
For you are the source of my joy,
the wellspring of my love,
the key to my compassion.
Be with me today, tomorrow, and forever,
so that I may bring your joy to all I meet.
