Give Them Some Food Yourselves

by Food For Thought on January 7, 2014 ·

What is touching in today’s Gospel is Jesus saying,” Give them something to eat yourselves.” The Lord is not insensitive to the
human needs of the people. He understands what we need and when we need it. We should share this confidence and certainty that the Lord never abandons us. In our impatience, we easily doubt and wonder if the Lord loves or even remembers us. But His love is indeed steadfast.

In today’s reading, even when it seemed that there was not enough food, using the eyes of faith, we later realize that it was enough. Not only was it more than enough, it was abundant. The Lord is not stingy with his graces. Sometimes are impatient; we cannot wait or believe that the Lord will provide. He can multiply our little faith when we realize that Christ is Lord and Kyrios over all.

The feeding of the people and their division into groups is a prophetic vision and image of the Eucharist; we are fed with the bread
and wine, fruit of the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we partake of this food from Heaven, we will hunger and thirst no more. This is the ultimate proof and gift of God’s love and providence for us.

One Bread One Body

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 1

<< Tuesday, January 7, 2014 >>

St. Raymond of Peñafort

1 John 4:7-10
View Readings

Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8

Mark 6:34-44
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I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES

"Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish, Jesus raised His eyes to heaven, pronounced a blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to distribute." —Mark 6:41

Jesus took a little boy's lunch (Jn 6:9) and multiplied it into several thousand dollars worth of food (Mk 6:37).

Did Jesus really do this? Yes. The Scriptures are clear that Jesus worked a miracle of multiplication. This is the most frequently recorded miracle, found six times in the four gospels. Jesus did not rustle up some food from somewhere or merely get people to share. The Bible is clear. Jesus did a physical miracle.

Does Jesus still do this? Yes. There are many reliable accounts of miraculous multiplications throughout the history of the Church and even before the Church existed (see 2 Kgs 4:42ff). Jesus is the same now as He was then (see Heb 13:8).

How do we receive a multiplication-miracle? First, we must need it. The Lord has already given many of us so much food that we don't need it multiplied but rather to be distributed. However, we may need other things multiplied, like time and energy. Second, to receive a multiplication-miracle, we must express our faith in Jesus by giving all to Him. Third, we need faith to receive the miracle of multiplication. The Lord helps us grow in faith (see Rm 10:17) by teaching us at great length (Mk 6:34).

Will Jesus do a multiplication-miracle this Christmas season? It is quite likely. Christmas is named after Christ and Mass. At Mass, Christ not only multiplies food but also transforms it into His body and blood. Expect a miracle this Christmas time.

Prayer: Father, give me faith to move mountains (Mt 17:20) and to do miracles in Jesus' name.

Promise: "Love, then, consists in this: not that we have loved God but that He has loved us and has sent His Son as an Offering for our sins." —1 Jn 4:10

Praise: St. Raymond encouraged: "As you drink the cup of the Lord Jesus (how glorious it is!), give thanks to the Lord, the Giver of all blessings."