Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: July 28, 2024

Date: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  John 6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?"  He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little." One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people recline." Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So, the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted." So, they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world." Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s gospel text recounts Jesus’ feeding of a multitude with only five loaves and two fish. It is the event which launches Jesus’ Bread of Life Discourse in Chapter 6 of the Gospel of John. It shows Jesus’ compassion for us. It shows our hesitancy to act because of our fear of inadequacy. It provides Jesus example for us: take what we have, give thanks for it, offer it for the LORD’s glory and service to others, and then share it.  

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Am I hesitant to give what I have because it seems inadequate? Am I hesitant to offer myself because I feel inadequate? Do I begin by offering myself and what I have for the glory of God and service of others?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only begotten Son to dwell among us and from our midst to reveal your great love for us, to share with us your desire for our salvation. He taught us how to live a life of love, love for You and for one another. And He showed us how to selflessly offer all He had, his very life, for others. And through His sacrifice, we all learned what love can do. Send your Spirit to infuse our beings with the grace to cooperate with your transformative love. Make of us individuals whose faith illuminates the world, whose hope overcomes human obstacles, and whose love transforms in your name and for your glory. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.