the miracle of multiplying miracles
"The people saw the sign He had performed." —John 6:14
Jesus used the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish to open the blinded eyes of His apostles. He said: "Are your minds completely blinded? Have you eyes but no sight? Ears but no hearing? Do you remember when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets of fragments you gathered up?" (Mk 8:17-19)
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb 13:8). Therefore, Jesus may well be using today's Gospel reading to open our eyes and ears spiritually. Read today's readings from the perspective of the millions of refugees in the world. Most of us have never seen a person starve to death, but hundreds of millions of the poor have seen even their own children starve to death. To hear about a man who multiplies food is the greatest of good news to millions throughout the world.
Even if we don't need the multiplication of food in our lives, we still desperately need the multiplication of time, energy, ministry, and strength. We feel terribly inadequate, and we are, but the Lord will multiply our little lives, if we give our all and ask in faith for a multiplication.
When you come to Mass today, ask for the miracle of multiplication to lead to the miracle of freedom from spiritual blindness. This in turn will open our eyes to further miracles — to a multiplication of miracles.
Prayer: Father, I give You my all so that I may see.
Promise: "There is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope given all of you by your call." —Eph 4:4
Praise: Alleluia! Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life! (Jn 11:25) Alleluia forever!
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, November 12, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 10, 1996