People came to Jesus in
increasing numbers until there was a great multitude with nothing to eat. Jesus
called his disciples, and said, “I have compassion on the people, because they
have stayed with me now three days, and have nothing to eat. If I send them
away to their home without food, they will faint on the way, for some of them
have come a great distance.”
His disciples answered him, “How
could these people find bread in this deserted place?”
He asked them, “How many loaves
do you have?”
They said, “Seven.”
He commanded the multitude to
sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves. Having given thanks, he
broke them, and gave them to his disciples to serve, and they served the
multitude. They also had a few small fish. Having blessed them, he said to
serve these as well. The people, numbering about four thousand, ate and were
filled. Afterward, the disciples gathered up seven baskets of broken pieces
that were left over. Then he sent them away.
Reflection
Faced with feeding another
multitude, the disciples still didn’t understand what Jesus intended. This time
the obstacle was not lack of money, but lack of any place where food could even
be bought. In what way is this situation like that of a refugee camp in our own
day? Does God assist the efforts of those who go to great lengths to deliver
supplies in seemingly impossible situations? Does it make a difference if those
seeking to help refugees are following Jesus or not?
Prayer: How wonderful it is,
Lord, when you make a way where there seems to be no way.
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