But Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fishes.” Jesus said
to them, “Bring them here to me.” Then he made everyone sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fishes, raised his eyes to heaven, pronounced the
blessing, broke the loaves and handed them to the disciples to distribute to the people. And they all ate, and everyone had enough; then the disciples gathered up the leftovers,
filling twelve baskets. About five thousand men had eaten there, besides women and children.

Reflection:

Jesus heard of John’s beheading. He now has to reassess His priority. He
prudently withdrew to a secluded place knowing that the heat will be turned against
Him now that John has been eliminated. After all, they both proclaim that the kingdom is
near. Their message raise hackles among the powerful elite whose lives are hardly
paragon of exemplary living. But the ministry is already inaugurated. People begin to
flock wherever He is. And so situations like these become inevitable. A large number of
people gathering in a secluded place with nothing to eat, is a logistical nightmare. But Jesus
calmly asks His disciples to feed them. The little food they save perhaps for Jesus only will
be given to all. And the miracle of sharing feeds the multitude. Jesus shows His disciples the
secret of abundance. It is only in giving that we will truly have. Until then, we are merely
in possession of material objects. We are not the owner. Perhaps we are even the ones
possessed by them. But if we have the freedom to give them away, then we are the owners
not the owned.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2021