Friday 21 April, 2023 | Friday of the Second Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 5:35-42; Psalm 26(27):1,4,13-14; John 6:1-15 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here)
The world has known many great inventors who have created solutions to everyday problems but how do we respond to a problem or challenge? Some people, when faced with a challenge or crisis, may panic or simply complain about the situation in which they find themselves, cursing the darkness, rather than lighting one small candle. Others will be more creative and positive and look for solutions and perhaps engage in a little problem solving. Which one are you?
In the gospel reading, it is Andrew who seems to offer some hope as he looks to the bright side of a problem. Perhaps he can see a way forward to the situation they face. They are in an isolated place with thousands of people, and everyone is getting hungry, and there is no source of food. “There is a small boy here with five barley loaves and two fish,” he says. It seems quite an optimistic way forward. He has, at least, found some food. Perhaps he has ideas of his own or can see the possibilities. However, he soon undoes any signs of hopefulness with a rather hopeless appendix: “But what is that between so many?” He gives in to the crisis which lies ahead.
Meanwhile, the narrative gives us an important insight, for Jesus knows exactly what he is going to do. He receives the smallness of that boy’s contribution. He takes the bread and the fish, gives thanks, and then distributes them so that all are fed. There is more than enough food. Sometimes, we may fail to see the opportunities and possibilities which God provides, we overlook the gifts he gives because they seem so small or so insignificant. Nothing went to waste that day on the hillside. Twelve hampers of scraps were collected. Everything was valued. May we see with the eyes of faith, cherish what we have been given, and try to bring hope to hopeless situations through our faith in the Risen Lord.
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