God’s Nourishment

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I: 2 Kings 4:42-44
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14
Reading II: Ephesians 1:3-14
Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9
Reading II: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
Gospel: John 6:1-15

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9
Reading II: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

The feeding of the crowd is recorded in all the four Gospels, and all the evangelists agree that Jesus brings forth the superabundant loaves and fish by multiplying the small amount of food available. In the Gospel of John, the little amount of food came from a young boy. This small detail gives a different slant in highlighting the aspect of sharing. Multiplication implies that the miracle was made possible because of a simple act of generosity. When we attend Mass, like the boy who surrendered his loaves and fish to Jesus, we also have to offer something to Him. If we attend only because our friend is there, or because our parents demand it, we have nothing to offer, and He has nothing to multiply. If, however, we can offer our time, our heart and our goodwill, then not only that one hour will be blessed but all the hours during the week will become a sharing of the Lord’s love.
Maybe we go to Mass with an empty heart, we are not in the mood to pray, or our faith seems to have withered. We might even have had an inner struggle because we felt a hypocrite going to church with such feelings. In a moment like this, we give more than we think. There is no pretense, only the awareness of our littleness and the need for God’s nourishment. Jesus had a preference for the little ones, for they know their dependence on him. We may be in a better position to pray and meet the Lord than people who bring many offerings but who may be tempted to believe that God now owes them a favor
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