John 6:5-11 NRSVue
5When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” 10Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place, so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
I imagine myself in the scene. Am I the little boy, ready to share my picnic
with others? Am I Philip, the practical man from Bethsaida, with local
knowledge? Am I one of the large crowd? Who am I? Jesus does not lose
patience and send the intrusive crowd away. He does not conjure a magical
banquet from the sky. Instead he says: /Use what you have/.
Reflection
Lord, you teach me that even the little I have to offer can help others, if I
have the courage to reach out towards them.