Tuesday, Christmas
weekday
(I John 4:7-10; Mark 6:34-44)
The woman was fond of saying, “Where there is a will
there is a way.” She knew that people often
find excuses for not doing things that they could do if they set their heart on
it. She herself gave her three children a
Catholic education after her husband died in their eleventh year of
marriage. Jesus has a similar idea in
mind in today’s gospel.
The disciples are growing desperate. They see the crowds staying to listen to
Jesus as the day wanes. They must be
thinking, “Who will feed this multitude?”
Perhaps they have provisions that they are reluctant to share. But Jesus shows no such worry. “Give them some food yourselves,” he
says. He then blesses the bread and fish
at hand which turn out to be more than enough.
What happened? The gospel itself
does not mention a multiplication of loaves.
Nor is anything said about each person sharing from his or her personal
provision. The “how” question evidently does
not really matter to the evangelist.
What’s important here is Jesus’ trust in his Father to feed the crowd.
We too sometimes make excuses for not fulfilling
responsibilities. We do not have to give
it “the old college try.” What’s
important is sincerely asking God’s assistance.
There are as many ways for God to accomplish His purpose as there are fish
in the ocean. God will provide when we
bring our needs to Him.
