Tuesday, January 6, 2015



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.