He said to them in reply,
“Give them some food yourselves.”
But they said to him,
“Are we to buy two hundred days’ wages worth of food
and give it to them to eat?”
He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?  Go and see.”

mark 6:37-38

Mark 6:34-44

Reflection

Jesus feeds the five thousand in today’s Gospel. Asking the disciples to provide food, they rebut that they cannot, and so Jesus provides all with food from only two fish and five loaves.

When have you felt that you aren’t able to provide? Do you ask the Lord for help but refuse his answer, like the disciples initially did? Or do you listen to him and trust that he will provide for whatever you need in his own way?

Many times we struggle to obtain something, achieve something, provide something, and think we must do it all on our own. We resist any help and even insist that our way is the best. When this happens, turn to Jesus and ask for help. His answer may sometimes anger or confuse you at first, but remember that he is God and knows the best way to offer support.

Reflect on how you react to difficult situations and solutions you’ve had to provide and deal with. Have you turned to the Lord and asked for his assistance? Ask for courage and the humility to listen to Jesus in all things – he will provide.

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Saint of the Day

St. Raymond of Peñafort: 1175 – 1275

“The sword falls with double and treble force externally when, without cause, persecution breaks out from within the church, where wounds are more serious, especially when inflicted by friends. This is that enviable and blessed cross of Christ . . . the cross in which alone we must make our boast, as Paul, God’s chosen instrument, has told us.” Letter of St. Raymond of Peñafort