17 April, Friday — Multiplication

Friday of the 2^nd Week of Eastertide

Acts 5:34-42
Jn 6:1-5

“There is a small boy here with five barley loaves and two fish…”

This year, I was one of the twelve men chosen to have my feet washed during Maundy Thursday service at my parish, the Church of St Francis Xavier. It was a totally unexpected gift and a great privilege. Prior to the service, I had to attend a preparation talk, benediction and reflection by the priest in charge, Father Gl.

At the talk, Father G meticulously detailed each of our roles, including how we should sit, where to put our hands and how to walk up from the pews to be seated. I was impressed with his attention to details. After that, we had benediction and reflection for about thirty minutes. At the end, Father G wrote the names of the twelve apostles on a whiteboard and asked each of us to choose one Apostle to learn more about him. Naturally, I chose Andrew, my namesake!

Turning to today’s gospel reading from John 6, as Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee, a large crowd followed him because they saw many signs that he performed on the sick. On seeing the large crowd, Jesus asked Philip where could they buy enough food for them to eat. Subsequently, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, brought a boy who had five barley loaves and two fish. From this small amount, Jesus performed the miracle of the multiplication of loaves. In a way, Andrew helped solve the problem by bringing the right person to Jesus.

The bible only records two main stories about Andrew. The first is the one above. The other is more significant. Andrew, after meeting Jesus, went to his brother Simon Peter and said “we have found the Messiah”. Then, he brought him to Jesus.   

I always take comfort in Andrew’s role in bringing people to Jesus. In an earlier reflection, I wrote that like Andrew, I also bring people to Jesus through Sunday mass. I wake up at 5.40am to drive and pick up almost half my choir members for Sunday mass. We usually arrive in church at 6.20am for a quick practice before the 7am mass. I volunteer because it is difficult to get public transport so early for those who do not have a car to drive.

Father G said that after the Maundy Thursday service, we should remember the experience and continue to model the apostle that we chose. This is to help us live a better Christian life. I will do that by promoting the Bible Adventure series to my Catholic friends whom I know do not have much bible knowledge. These classes really impart comprehensive knowledge of the bible through a timeline framework. Follow this timeline and anyone will embark on a wonderful journey of salvation.

I can hardly wait to tell my friends now and bring more people closer to Jesus!

(Today’s OXYGEN by Andrew Sia)

Prayer: Jesus, may we always bring more and more people to you.

Thanksgiving: Thanks be to Jesus who brings eternal hope for all sinners.