TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
2 MAY, 2025
John 6:1-15
Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.
A large crowd followed him,
because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.
Jesus went up on the mountain,
and there he sat down with his disciples.
The Jewish feast of Passover was near.
When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,
he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”
He said this to test him,
because he himself knew what he was going to do.
Philip answered him,
“Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough
for each of them to have a little.”
One of his disciples,
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;
but what good are these for so many?”
Jesus said, “Have the people recline.”
Now there was a great deal of grass in that place.
So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,
and distributed them to those who were reclining,
and also as much of the fish as they wanted.
When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,
“Gather the fragments left over,
so that nothing will be wasted.”
So they collected them,
and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments
from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.
When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,
“This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.”
Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off
to make him king,
he withdrew again to the mountain alone.
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
In this passage, we witness Jesus feeding the five thousand with five barley loaves and two fish—a powerful sign of His compassion and divine provision. The crowd follows Him, drawn by the miracles, yet Jesus tests His disciples’ faith. Andrew brings a boy’s modest offering, which Jesus blesses and multiplies, reminding us that God can use even the smallest gifts when offered in faith. The abundance that follows reveals Jesus not only as a provider of physical needs but also as the Bread of Life who satisfies the soul. The people, eager to make Him king, misunderstand His mission. But Jesus withdraws, choosing obedience to the Father over earthly acclaim. This challenges us to trust in God’s provision, offer what little we have, and seek Christ not for temporary gain, but for eternal life.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life, our true sustenance. Thank You for seeing our needs and having compassion on us. Teach us to bring our small offerings with open hearts, trusting You to bless and multiply them. Help us to seek You not for signs or comfort alone, but because we hunger for Your presence. Keep us from misunderstanding Your mission and trying to shape You into our expectations. Give us the faith to follow You, the humility to serve, and the grace to be content in Your provision. Amen
