Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: May 2, 2025

Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter/Memorial of St. Athanasius

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:

The gospel reading for today taken from John recounts Jesus’ of a multitude of over 5000 families with five loaves and two fish. Jesus teaches us through this miracle of the possibilities when we are willing to offer what we have to the LORD with thanksgiving and lovingly and willingly share it with others – turning it over to the LORD for the LORD’s use. While to the average eye, it looked insufficient, through the LORD, it was more than sufficient.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I withhold what I have because I fear it is insufficient? Do I fail to give myself because I fear I am insufficient?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only-begotten Son to dwell among us, to take on our human nature, all except for sin, and to teach us of You and your great love through His words and deeds. Through His feeding of thousands with merely five loaves and two fish, He showed us what is possible when we take what we have and who we are, seek your blessing and selflessly give it to You to use, and then willingly share it with others for your glory. Send your Spirit to open our minds and hearts to the wonders possible when we trust in You and lovingly open ourselves to your will and to your power. We ask this in the name of your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.