Someone shared the story of a father and son driving around. “ Wow, it’s a beautiful overfly, Dad.” It’s a flyover, son”. Later the boy said, “ I see pedestrians on the pass-over”. “No, it’s an “overpass” son.” We’ll, when will you “ take over” that slow car, Dad?”
John’s gospel 6:1-15, presents the miraculous multiplication of the five loaves of bread and two fish. It began from a small boy carrying those five loaves and two fish which probably his mother prepared for his provision on the way, and he could be very hungry by then following Jesus. When there was need of feeding the people, he gave what he had to Jesus, who blessed and distributed them to the crowd. The boy’s generosity effected the Miraculous Multiplication of the bread and fish that fed a big crowd. What if the boy were selfish? We’ll, five thousand hungry people could have starved.
I wrote this article here in Manila for my medical check up. Yesterday, Monday, July 31, 2018, I met a friend from Guam at St. Luke’s Hospital in Global City for heart treatment. I gave him $100 for whatever he may use it. After about twenty minutes, I met a Couple also from Guam and, guess what? They gave me 5,000.00 pesos, the equivalent of $100. I’m sharing this not to boast of myself, but to boast of the generosity of God. “ Give and it will be given back to you”. ( Lk. 6:38) “ Kindness to the poor is a loan to Lord and he will repay the lender”. ( Prov.19:17).
For the disciples, feeding the hungry was not an urgent matter but a burden.Their uncaring attitude won’t help the situation for they merely relied on human calculation rather than trusting their Master.
For Jesus, the solution to the problem is right there. The Lord tested them but they failed because they lacked trust, asking him questions. In effect they were a problem to the solution.
What lesson does the Lord want to give his disciples and us? It is that he passes over his manna to the hungry, compassion to the poor, concern to the suffering, mercy to everyone. He wants us to pass over from doubt to faith, selfishness to giving, and greed to generosity.
Sometimes the Lord tests our generosity of time, talent and treasure. Do you respond with coldness or warmth?, Selfishness or kindness? Our attitude may have something to do with God’s answer to our prayer or solution to our problem. The boy in the gospel is good reminder.
Note that Jesus prayed first before performing the miracle. Let prayer be the preamble of our thought, word and action each day. Prayer is power.
On the flip side, someone said that if you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse. Sometimes, what you’re most afraid of doing is the very thing that will set you free. It is said that the meaning of life is to find your gift and the purpose of life is to give it away. Always help someone for you might be the only one that does. Nobody is too busy, it’s a matter of priorities. Remember that a moment of patience in a moment of anger saves you a hundred moments of regret. Amen on that folks!!
St. Faustina wrote Jesus’ words: “ If your trust is great, there’s no limit to My generosity”. ( Diary 1602).
Pray the Divine Mercy every 3 p.m. Daily pray the Chaplet of Mercy for peace in our families and throughout the world.