“Everyone ate and had enough. Then the disciples took up....” (Mt 14:9)

“Everyone ate and had enough. Then the disciples took up twelve baskets full of what was left over.” (Mt 14:9)

This verse has got few different angles certainly. From where do you want to look at it? Why and what prompted the disciples to collect the leftovers! Of course, it is rather a difficult task to collect twelve baskets of the leftovers from the crowd of more than five thousand people when compared to its distribution. It is easier to hand over the food to the hungry, but you may find it rather difficult to collect the left over from them; for everybody had enough food and now they are not cared about the leftovers. Nevertheless, the disciples did that job carefully with much effort. They might have thought of their difficulty when they were asked to give them food by themselves a few minutes back! They wanted to make sure that all of them were satisfied! May be a sign of their pride showing their master could do anything, see the leftovers! Whatever be their thinking and our imagination, it had to be done and was done. In the gospel of John we read Jesus is asking the disciples to collect the leftovers, “Gather the pieces left over; let us not waste any.”  This is today’s focus of meditation. Why this so much waste around us today? If we look into some areas of food, clothes, furniture, toys, vehicles, electric and electronic goods, etc, a lot of wastage can be found. It is true that God is very generous and gracious to us. But how do we respond to God’s generosity? Remember, God’s generosity is to be shared in and through us, but not be wasted.

               

Lord Jesus, we thank you and praise you for your great generosity toward each and every one of us. You are our provider and protector. Help us to be generous toward others in our daily life and be careful and responsible in handling each and every gift you have given us. Amen.

                   

Take courage God is with you! Have a nice and blissful Sunday….