“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”
John 6:9
Five barley loaves. Two fish. Five thousand people! You do not need a degree in math to figure that one out. There simply is not enough food for everyone. But we are dealing with the One who cannot bear to see people go hungry and so he takes what is there, as little as it is, and makes it enough. Not just enough, but enough with more to spare. Such is his extravagance.
And so it is with us. How often we might think, “I would like to do feed the hungry, but I don’t have enough _________.” You fill in the blank. I don’t have enough time, money, or energy. “Give me what little you have,” Jesus tells us, “And I will make it enough.” The young lad with the loaves and fish gave it all and look what happened. The early followers gave all they had to preaching the word with courage and conviction. They preached even after being flogged and ordered to silence.
And look what happened! Our saint today, Catherine of Siena, would put it this way: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” God wants us to be generous with what we have.
What am I being asked to give to God so that God can use it for good? My time? My talents? My limitations?
Good and gracious God, you have given me all I have. I offer it to you to use as you wish. Amen
Today’s Reflection is by:
Sr. Cathy Cahill, OSF
Did you know...
Sister Cathy Cahill, OSF, is a Franciscan Sister of Allegany who has been ministering in the diocese since 1989, primarily in retreat work and spiritual direction, She is a member of the community at St. Clare Convent in Tampa.
