multiplied multiplications
"Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish, Jesus raised His eyes to heaven, pronounced a blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to distribute." —Mark 6:41
Why did the Church select today's Gospel reading? What does the multiplication of the loaves and fish have to do with the Christmas season? The point may be that we can have a few gifts for Christmas, or we can have a miracle, the multiplication of gifts. The Lord is willing to multiply our resources to feed the masses both physically and spiritually.
Jesus has the same compassion and power today as He had yesterday (see Heb 13:8), but we must do what the little boy in today's Gospel did. We must give all to Jesus. We may have received a little money or a few presents this Christmas. If we give them all to Jesus in some way, we can be part of a Christmas multiplication-miracle. Then we can take these multiplied resources and give them all to Jesus again. This will result in a second multiplication miracle. If we keep giving our "alls" as our "alls" keep multiplying, by the end of this year we will receive more than we can ever ask or imagine (Eph 3:20).
Give all and keep giving your multiplied "alls" to the Lord. You will not be disappointed.
Prayer: Father, I can't outgive You, but I can try. Multiply this Christmas.
Promise: "Love, then, consists in this: not that we have loved God but that He has loved us and has sent His Son as an Offering for our sins." —1 Jn 4:10
Praise: Bl. Andre gave his littleness to the Lord and "the Almighty did great things" for him.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape I Believe in Miracles on audio AV 63-3 or video V-63.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 17, 2008
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.