Daily Reflection for Monday, August 02, 2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Monday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080221.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Numbers 11:4b-15
Responsorial: Psalm 81:12-13, 14-15, 16-17
Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21
Our reflection on Monday’s readings:
But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” Matthew 14:17-18
Recently there was a segment on the national news about a single mother who is facing eviction due to circumstances surrounding the COVID pandemic. The federal government’s moratorium on evictions is ending on July 31st and though she’s been trying to get assistance from this program, the application process for her has been daunting. She is seeking help with the application process from community and government resources. The correspondent interviewing her asked how she was getting through this stressful time in her life. With a great big, beautiful smile she said, “Faith. I believe if I do all that I can, God will do the rest.”
This could be the lesson we learn from today’s gospel and one we can apply to our own personal challenges.
The facts as presented in the reading are these:
The disciples approach the Lord and urge him to dismiss the crowds because it is late, the place is deserted and the people need to go buy food from the surrounding villages.
The Lord counters with the radical suggestion that the disciples themselves should feed the people.
Incredulous, the disciples explain that their resources are severely limited: five loves and two fish.
The Lord tells the disciples: “Bring them here to me.”
With those five loves and two fish, Christ the Lord fed “about five thousand men, not counting women and children.”
Though their options and resources were limited, the apostles gave him all they had. and he multiplied the food so that it not only fed all the people but there were fragments of loaves and fish leftover.
When circumstances seem overwhelming, remember what the Lord told the disciples: “Bring them to me.” Then perhaps we can say as the single mom in the news report told the correspondent: “I believe if I do all that I can, God will do the rest.”
May the peace of God be with you dear friends, always.
Melissa Kittrell