SAINT ANSELM, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

. . . five barley loaves and two fish.

Faced with not having enough food for the crowd before him, Jesus had a plan to demonstrate the abundance of God’s loving care. But notice, when Jesus asked Philip where they could buy enough food, Philip focused only on the enormous cost. Then Andrew pointed to a boy with five barley loaves and two fish. Philip was probably wondering why Andrew had even mentioned such a small contribution!

But Jesus wasn’t put off by their responses. Look at what he did!

Today, try picturing yourself on the hillside with Jesus and this large crowd. There, standing next to Andrew and Philip, is Jesus holding up the loaves and offering a prayer of thanksgiving to his Father. As the apostles move through the crowd with their baskets, they expect each piece of bread or fish to be the last. But there is always more! You see excitement rippling through the crowd; even those farthest away from Jesus begin to believe there will be enough. And then—all those leftovers!

We might sometimes feel like Andrew or Philip as they looked out over that large crowd of hungry people. We fear that we don’t have enough. Our strength isn’t equal to the task before us. We face a situation that drains the hope right out of us. What could we possibly offer Jesus except our disappointment over the meager amount in our hands? But Jesus welcomes even that. As he did with the five loaves and two fish, he will take what is not enough and make it enough.

The important thing is for us to come to Jesus and offer him what we have. Even if it’s a broken heart, even if it’s the first stirrings of remorse after we sin, even if it’s the tiniest expression of gratitude, he is pleased to accept what we give him. He will show us the richness of God’s compassion as he takes our offerings and transforms them. He takes our hopelessness and shows us a way through our situation. He takes our contrition and pours out his mercy so that we can start again. He takes our meager gratitude and lovingly reminds us of all the ways he cares for us.

What do you have to offer Jesus today? Even if it’s only five loaves and two fish, bring it to the Lord and just watch what he does!

“Jesus, I offer myself to you.”

Acts 5:34-42
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
John 6:1-15