This coming Sunday’s message is a reflection on Matthew 14:13-21. It is the story of the feeding of the 5,000. Please take a moment to read this passage below and consider the question that follows. May this time of study open your heart to this Sunday’s message.
Matthew 14:13-21
Feeding the Five Thousand
Now 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. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When 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.’ Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then 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. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Reflection Question
When faced with concrete problems, how do you work with others to seek and implement solutions.
This is such a great reflection topic. It’s important to think about the ways in which we can collaborate when met with what seems to be an insurmountable task. I love the chance to really think about the answer to this, and what first springs to mind is: listen to each other. instead of assuming that something is impossible, listen to someone else’s idea, because God may have opened their heart to hear a solution that you yourself haven’t been able to hear either because you’re distracted or overwhelmed by the fact that the task seems insurmountable. Living in a household of 4 VERY bright and very insightful, but very different women, I learned a lot about myself. I learned first and foremostly that I often like to jump to what the most obvious and most accessible solution appears to be, even if it’s not the right one. I’m also easily defeated by a challenge if I myself don’t seem to see a way around it. My sisters, and my wife, have all shown me the beauty and the value of collaboration and cooperative thinking: listening to everyone’s ideas, not assuming that something is impossible until ALL have expressed an opinion. Another thing I find valuable is stepping back and seeking advice from someone we KNOW has more answers than we do. It’s not always easy to think about stepping back in prayer, to seek God’s wisdom. Especially because I tend to be a skeptic, and don’t always listen for God’s voice. But taking a mental step back from a situation often helps. I’m able to get more clarity of mind, and often, that’s where I hear God’s voice, in listening to others, and in not assuming anything about the outcome of a problem.
Thank you Amelia for sharing. I think we often look for the quickest solution without seriously considering all input.