Ordinary Time

Pause

We scramble through many of our days, hopeful that things will turn out well, and sometimes fearful that we may come up short. Will our resources be equal to each day’s demands?

As followers of Christ, we want to be faithful—and capable—in the face of life’s challenges.

We should know that there is enough grace, enough mercy, enough love—and enough time, just now—to meet the day.

Listen

Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

Matthew 14:16–19

Think

Maybe you’re familiar with what happens next in this story but, for right now, let’s just focus on what Jesus does in the moment. The disciples, faced with their Teacher’s challenge to feed the huge crowd sitting at Jesus’ feet, insist they don’t have nearly enough to meet the need. They’re just being sensible; all they have is a small amount of bread and a few fish. How far can that go?

Now watch what Jesus does. His response is to ask for the food they have to be brought to him. He says a prayer of blessing over it and then the disciples begin distribution.

Imagine the story ends right there; we would still have reason to be inspired.

In the face of need and what seems to be an inadequate supply, Jesus, moved by compassion, does…something. The result is not immediately apparent, and that is how it often is when we seek to help others. Love is desperately irrational, often inspiring us to do something—even when we cannot assume a successful end.

Nick Foster

Pray

Lord, I admit that I don’t always feel confident about what I can do to change things. But help me to be irrational enough to believe—anyway—that I can make a difference. Amen.

Go

There is plenty. You need only take a little time to wait on God; then you will be prepared for the work God has for you.

So do not be discouraged; you can make a difference. The result may be greater than you can imagine.

There is enough and more than enough mercy, grace, and love to carry you. To carry us all.