28 July, Sunday — On Hunger

17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

2 Kgs 4:42-44
Eph 4:1-6
Jn 6:1-15

Give it to the people to eat…

I was recently asked to give a video testimony on my conversion experience and, in the process, was led to the gospel of the prodigal son. At the urging of the interviewer, I read it out loud and promptly broke down.

The next day, I shared with the interviewer why the reading had touched me and he thanked me for being open and vulnerable. I have encountered the passage more than a few times over the years, but somehow, on the day of my interview, I was prompted to take a different perspective – that of the father, who welcomes the son.

Brothers and sisters, no matter how terribly we have sinned, no matter how we have offended God through our misdeeds and denials, He will always be there for us – standing at the gate and welcoming us back with open arms. Because all that He wants is for each of us to experience the fullest measure of His divine love – provided our hearts are open.

This desire is what is important – just like how people who are hungry desire food. Today’s first reading and gospel chronicle how many people were fed with seemingly not enough. In both instances, prophet Elisha and Jesus trusted fully in God’s providence – that whatever meagre resources were on hand – they were more than enough to feed the hungry.

I recently embarked on a journey where my trust in God’s providence is being tested. And much as I would like to take control and do things the rational, logical way, things somehow end up out of my hands and there is nothing I can do but to trust in God fully – that He will ultimately provide.

Because brothers and sisters, that is all that our loving Father wants – to make sure that we are well nourished for the longer journeys ahead. I ask for all your prayers as I set one foot ahead of the other tentatively, not knowing where He is going to take me.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Desmond Soon)

Prayer: Abba Father, help me to see your hand in all that I do, especially where there are financial implications involved. Help me to discern how you are providing for me and my family.

Thanksgiving: Thank You, Lord, for Your constant provision and for reminding us that You will always give us what we need for our journey.