18th Sunday A (July 31, 2005)
Mt.14:13-21
Jesus said to them, "There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves." But they said to him, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have here." Then he said, "Bring them here to me," and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds (Mt.14: 16-19).
There was an old woman that lost her sense of God’s presence. She shared this to her friend and the latter’s advice was, “Pray to God, ask Him to touch you and put His hands on you.” The lady began to pray right then and there. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Full of joy she told her friend, “The Lord has touched me! But you know, it feels just like your hand.” Her friend replied, “Sure it was my hand. What do you think God would do? Stick a long arm out of heaven to touch you? He will just take the hands of the person near to you and use that.”
The disciples of Jesus were so concerned about the hungry crowd that they asked Jesus to dismiss them so that they could go and buy themselves something to eat. But instead of sending them away, Jesus told His disciples, “Give them some food yourselves.” But all they have were five loaves and two fish. The disciples trusted in Jesus and they gave them to Him. Jesus blessed the food, broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples who in turn gave them to the crowds. To their amazement, the food that they partook was more than enough to satisfy their great hunger.
The disciples were concerned with the crowds and they accompanied this concern with their generosity to share. In sharing what they had with Jesus, a miracle happened. Five thousand men (not counting women and children) ate and were satisfied. God would like to continue doing miracles. He wants to touch the lives of people. He wants to help them in their needs. He wants to console them in their misery. He wants His presence to be felt by them. But God would not stick out a long arm out of heaven to touch others. He will use us to make His miracle happen.
Around us people are starving. They suffer all kinds of hunger. Hunger not only for food but love, peace, care, understanding, patience, kindness, acceptance, and forgiveness. God would like to satisfy this hunger, but He is waiting for us to share our five loaves and two fish. God’s miracles happen when we become generous and share our blessings with others.
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2 comments:
Fr. Nony:
Bilib ako talaga sa yo..., I think you have this gift of explaining faith in simple terms and in different points of view.
I am sure many Christians know this story of the miracle of the 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes. but only a few would realize that a lesson could be learned here.., that Jesus' miracle started and worked through the apostles generosity.
Na-iinspire tuloy akong umpisahan yung matagal ko nang iniisip na foundation - hospital for the poor. Totoo, hindi ko kayang gumawa ng Ospital, kailangan ng milagro. Pero kagaya ng sinabi mo, walang darating na milagro kung hindi natin uumpisahan.
thanks. actually meron kaming hospital for the poor nasa Congo. may mga volunteer docotrs and nurses doon. yng mga medical supplies nanggagaling dito saka sa europe. ok naman. pero if we canbuild a bigger one then much much better. simple lang naman kasi yung miracle ng loaves. the miracle starts with us. tulad nung kantang pambata na may lyrics. " take this few fish and crumbs of bread, it is all that i can do, but most of all Lord take my life and make me a miracle too."
sana mas marmaing tao ang nagiisip ng kanilang kapwa kesa mga material na bagay na gustong mag accumulate. parang yung question na what will you do with $25,000 ng kapamilya network.mga sagot, shopping galore, vacation, spend it, facial removal daw, etc. wala akong narinig na sa charity.
sige thanks again
(this comment is made by Fr. Nony, through my e-mail -Arnel)
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