How many loaves – Reflection on Mark 6:34-44
Most Christians have profound discussions when considering the Loaves and Fishes passages. This scripture passage is perhaps one of the most striking examples of Jesus’s compassion, offering himself to others and showing us how to love. And what of the five loaves and two fish available to share? Our realizations remind us how many loaves and fish we can share with others. Micro miracles occur when we engage with this concept and allow God’s love to overflow to others. We can trust and ask for the same grace that produced food for the crowds so we, too, can share all the excess of our time, talent, and treasures that God provides.
The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Christmastide Reflections
Mark 6 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 35 When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; 36 send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii] worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves have you? Go and see.” When they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And all ate and were filled; 43 and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Mark 6:34-44 Reflection – How Many Loaves Can I Share.
This site has written permission from New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) to use the Mark 6 Bible passage.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate your expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let our communities’ young families experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions. Amen
Attributions
* This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the passage of Matthew 9.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: How many loaves
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