Matthew 14:13-21 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 14:13-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 13Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. Verse 14When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. Verse 15When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Verse 16Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." Verse 17They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." Verse 18And he said, "Bring them here to me." Verse 19Then 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. Verse 20And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. Verse 21And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Devotion
Back in the day (and by that I mean Jesus' day), miracles were the workings of one agent. That agent was Jesus Christ. We hear of his agency as a miracle-worker in this week's gospel, when he made five loaves and two fish feed a crowd of thousands. So where are these types of miracles today? Since Christ is no longer here as the agent of miracles, who has such agency? As Christians, as God's children, we do. At least in this country as Christians with the means, we have the tools to do this work—to turn a low supply of loaves and fishes, in any place of need in this world, into more than enough to feed thousands and with plenty of leftovers to share. You were made in the image of Christ so you can work miracles. Go and do likewise!
Prayer
Gracious healer, work in us the miracles you want us to perform. Help us in ordinary ways, to work extraordinary miracles for those in need. Amen.