Daily Reflection – Apr 8, 2016

Friday 8 April 2016

First Reading: 
Acts 5:34-42
Responsorial Psalm:
One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord
Psalm 26(27):1, 4, 13-14
Gospel Reading: John 6:1-15

Today’s Note: Friday of the Second Week of Easter. Day of Penance.

Gospel Reading:

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.

Reflection:

He knew exactly what he was going to do.

Today’s stories provide examples of wisdom in leadership. Jesus’ leadership is clearly evident as he draws a crowd impressed by his healing powers. Recognising their need and acting with compassion, he provides food for the five thousand from five loaves and two fishes. The people recognise this as a sign and are convinced that Jesus is a prophet. In this story he is preparing the people to recognise that he also brings rich spiritual blessings. In the story from Acts we read of Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee, who spoke wisely to the Sanhedrin about freeing the apostles who had been in prison. His wisdom and leadership help the Pharisees see a better way and the apostles were able to continue proclaiming the Gospel.

Can we too recognise our potential for leadership and encourage others to work for justice?