Saturday, August 1, 2026

Matthew 14:17-19 

17 They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 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. 

Jesus did not ask the disciples to bring what they wished they had; he asked them to bring what was already in their hands. It was not much, but when placed before him, it became enough for his purpose. Before anyone ate, Jesus looked to heaven, gave thanks, blessed the bread, and broke it. Then he placed the blessed pieces back into the hands of the disciples so they could serve the crowd.  

This is often how grace works in our lives: we place our small and ordinary gifts into the hands of Jesus, trust him to bless them, and then receive the privilege of sharing his abundance with others. Sometimes it is literally food. Sometimes it is love and acceptance that we share. Whatever it is, it always comes from the abundance we have already received. 

– Pr. Paul  

Lord Jesus, thank you for the compassion you have shown us. You love us even when we turn away from you, even when we resist trusting you, and even when our hearts are slow to receive your grace. Your faithful love is a gift we do not deserve. Teach us to receive it with gratitude, to place our lives in your hands, and to share the abundance you have given us with others. Amen.