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Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21

This story is the one of only a few stories recorded in all four Gospels, so that gives us a clue as to its importance. Feeding 5,000 people from a small lunch is a feat, but we often miss the detail that there were 5,000 men, not counting women and children. So it’s likely this was more like the feeding of the 15,000-20,000, definitely a miracle!

Matthew tells us that the disciples want to send the people away to find their own food, but Jesus doesn’t think much of that idea and instead tells the disciples to figure it out. They look at what they have, five loaves and two fish, with despair and probably panic. But Jesus knows their hearts, so He intervenes, telling them to bring it to Him. After blessing the offering and breaking it into pieces, He gives the food back to them to share with the crowd. And amazingly, all 15,000-20,000 eat and are satisfied. But wait, there’s more . . . there are baskets of leftovers!

I can so relate to the disciples. I bring my pitiful loaves and fishes to Jesus, probably complaining that I don’t have nearly enough for what I need. Maybe it’s money, maybe talent, patience, energy, or time; but then Jesus asks me to give it to Him. He then miraculously takes it and multiplies it into everything I need and more. St. Thomas Aquinas explains it as grace perfecting nature: when I give it to Him, God takes what little I have and makes it into something magnificent.

If you have been watching The Chosen, you know that’s actually the theme of the show: It's not your job to feed the 5,000. You only need to provide the loaves and fishes. That’s a great synopsis of our duty as Christians: bring to Jesus what we have and then watch the miracles happen.

 

Ponder:

 

Can I bring my loaves and fishes to Jesus sooner instead of stressing over what little I have?

 

Pray:


Lord, help me to know that You can and do work miracles in my life today.

 

Daily Gospel 2

 

Copyright 2024 Suzanne Beck

About the Author

Suzanne Beck

Suzanne Beck

Suzanne Beck is an empty-nester mom of 6 children and step-children, most with spouses, as well as grandmother to 7. As a convert, she writes on various topics relating to motherhood and Catholicism, hoping to inspire future generations to embrace both with gusto and joy. She works part-time for Augustine Institute, and writes from home in Livermore CA.