Bread

Jesus therefore, lifting up his eyes and seeing that a great multitude was coming to him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?” - John 6:5

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The feeding of the five thousand, beyond its miraculous nature, imparts profound lessons on intentionality, community, faith, and stewardship. This Biblical narrative begins with Jesus' deliberate movement to the Sea of Galilee, teaching us that significant events often require thoughtful preparation and positioning. The large crowd following Him highlights the draw of genuine compassion and the power of community built on trust and shared experiences.

The interactions between Jesus and His disciples—questioning Philip about buying bread and discussing the available resources with Andrew—underscore the importance of recognizing challenges while trusting in divine provision. These moments illustrate how facing difficulties can deepen understanding and foster growth, emphasizing proactive problem-solving and the value of initiating discussions around needs.

The core miracle of multiplying loaves and fish encapsulates the virtues of gratitude and generosity. Jesus' act of giving thanks before distributing the food teaches us that acknowledging our blessings, no matter how small, can lead to abundant provision. This act, coupled with the collection of leftovers, serves as a powerful reminder of mindful stewardship and the importance of valuing our resources, ensuring nothing is wasted.

In essence, the story transcends its religious context to offer timeless insights into living with purpose, fostering community, embracing challenges with faith, and practicing gratitude and stewardship. It encourages us to be intentional in our actions, engage deeply with our communities, trust in the possibility of miracles from our meager offerings, and always act with mindfulness towards our resources. 

This synthesis of lessons from the feeding of the five thousand calls us to reflect on our lives, urging us to cultivate a deeper trust in the unfolding of divine plans and to participate actively in creating a world marked by generosity, compassion, and abundance.

Reflection on John 6: 1-21 by Marlon Bobier Vargas, SVD

Paenitentia | Repent

"…I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too." - Luke 13:5  (NLT)

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Have you ever been grateful for your arms and legs? Recently, I saw a video in my YouTube profile. It's about a community of handicapped people who help one another. One has no arms but capable of using his legs as a substitute, one has one leg and one arm, and the other has no arms but is able to use his mouth to help him survive. I was stunned seeing how they manage to deal with everyday life including cooking delicious food but also their struggle to do what we consider as simple things. These people have sort of bad destiny while others seem not. But the way they smile and conquer life makes me praise the Lord, and ashamed of how I often fail to be grateful over so many blessings in my life.

The passage today warns us about our perspective on seeing sufferings other people go through. We tend to think that sufferings come to the sinners, not us. Because we are good people. Some people came with bad news of those who were murdered by Pilate when they were offering sacrifices in the temple. Jesus reminded everyone not to think that those who died were worse sinners compared to others. "Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God," said Jesus (v.2-3). He insisted that the same attitude should also be applied for the case where some people died because the tower of Siloam fell on them. It was not because they sinned more than other people.

Let's think of our lives, start counting our blessings and have a deep self-assessment. We need to repent from any rebellions we might have towards God and other people such as our close family etc. Why? Because maybe God has given us chances after chances. Lord Jesus told a story of a fig tree owner who could not find any fruit from the tree despite many years it had taken some space in his garden. He wanted to cut it down. But the gardener pleaded with the owner to give the tree one more chance. He said he would take care of it more and give it more fertilizer. If that also didn't work, then the owner was allowed to cut it as his wish.

Dear brothers and sisters, the Gardener is our Lord Jesus Christ. He does everything for us even died to redeem our souls from the wrath of God, and right now He is the Mediator on behalf of us to God the Father (Hebrew 7:25). He keeps working on us. Are we growing more and more in Christ? Or are we just comfortable being served at church without any significant changes of our bad behaviours, and yet no intention to know God in more personal way? 

We have read the very strong warning about repentance. It is actually an invitation to protect us. Let's use the chance we have carefully to be more fruitful for the glory of God. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 13:1-9 by Desire Litaay

(Listen to podcast here)

Dominus Sabatti | Lord of the Sabbath

"Then Jesus said to them, 'The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." ‐ Luke 6:5 (NIV)

 

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Jesus and His disciples were walking through the grain fields on the Sabbath day and the disciples were hungry. They were harvesting some grain to eat and Jesus let them. The Pharisees questioned the disciples of doing unlawful things on the Sabbath. Jesus reminded them of how David entered the house of God, took the sacred bread ‐ which was only for priests, to eat together with his companions because they were hungry (v.1‐4).

On another Sabbath Jesus was teaching in the synagogue. There was a man with a shriveled hand. The Pharisees were watching Jesus closely. They wanted to see if Jesus would heal him so that they could accuse Him of breaking the law of Sabbath. Jesus did heal the man. He knew their thoughts. He asked every one of which is lawful to do on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it (v.6‐10).

God in Isaiah 58:13 (NLT) says, "Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don't pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD's holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don't follow your own desires or talk idly." It is the motive that counts. Whose interest do we pursue?

Honor the Sabbath in fact is not about following a set of rules, with the winner is the most obedient one who has never broken the laws. The Pharisees honored the law and valued legalistic behavior more than the True Savior Himself, Jesus Christ. They ignored His love behind the good deeds on Sabbath, but sought ways to destroy Him (v.11). They could not even admit the mighty power He had, although verse 19 describes, "Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone."

Let's delight in our Savior, Jesus Christ, for He is Lord of the Sabbath! (v.5). He is way higher than the laws. We are not perfect, but He understands. In terms of salvation, the religious rules do not save us, but Jesus does. Because we fail many times and incline to sin. Moreover, He is also Lord over any infirmities, even any demons (v.18).

Approaching the end of the passage, Jesus in verse 22‐23 said," What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven…" Amen, thank you Lord Jesus. To YOU be the glory forever and ever.

Reflection on Luke 6:1‐26 by Desire Litaay

(Listen to podcast here)

Vestrum est regnum Dei (Lk. 6:20)

 

In Luke’s Gospel today, we hear that Jesus presents a list of four blessings for those who depend on God and believe in Him. Jesus classifies those who are poor, hungry, weeping, and persecuted as blessed because of the kind reward that they will receive in His kingdom. God really loves them and gives them blessings because they trust in God and depend on Him. Accordingly, if we want to be classified as blessed people in the Kingdom of God, we must truly believe in God and depend on Him.

Many people think that they will be happy if they possess a lot of money, position, good food, a beautiful girlfriend or handsome boyfriend, etc. But, all those things don’t lead them to real happiness, because they don’t come to the source of true happiness. And the source of true happiness is God Himself.

Today Jesus gives very good advice for us. If we want to be happy and blessed in the Kingdom of God, we must truly believe in God and depend on Him. Don’t think that material things and wealth will give us true happiness. Yes, it can make us joyful. However, without God, we will lose everything. We should find God first, the source of true happiness and then we can get other things. Thus, we will get the earthly wealth and achieve the heavenly treasure too. We will be happy in this life and in the life to come.

By Fr. Risco Batbual, SVD.