God Provides

Matthew 14:13-21

While we were hosting our granddaughter, we asked her to plan a menu with us for the week. When we asked her what her favorite food is, she offered at least a dozen dishes: pizza, cheeseburgers, fried chicken, spaghetti with butter, grilled cheese sandwich and so on. I am sure you would answer the same way.

When we have many choices, we have a difficult time choosing one favorite food. But what is our favorite food when we have only one choice or no food? What will we eat when we are hungry or starving? We eat whatever someone puts before us.

In our Gospel today, the crowds came to Jesus because he taught them and healed their sick people. Late in the day, the people had not yet eaten and they were very hungry. They were starving.

Jesus’ disciples wanted him to send home the crowds because there was not enough food to feed all of them. They told Jesus that all they had were five loaves of bread and two fish. But after Jesus took what they had and blessed it, he was able to feed everyone. He fed thousands of people. And he did this more than once! This was a miracle, a sign that showed Jesus as God.

You and I will never be able to feed people as Jesus did – by multiplying bread and fish, but we can show mercy and compassion and love to other people. Perhaps we can help at a local soup kitchen, food pantry, food drive or even make peanut butter sandwiches for people who are hungry.

Today, I ask you to take some time to think about how God has blessed you. Pray about how God has provided for you – a place to rest at night, meals and a family. Be grateful in prayer for God’s mercy, compassion and love.

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named: Bless all children, and give their fathers and mothers the spirit of wisdom and love, so that the homes in which they grow up may be to them an image of Your Kingdom, and the care of their parents a likeness of Your love. We pray in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.