First Wednesday of Advent
– You can ponder on the picture. For a method of praying with pictures click button below.
– You can pray on the words of Scripture. For methods of praying with scripture click button below.
– You can follow the suggestions in the daily ‘Reflection’.
– You can listen to the music
Today’s Scripture
Matthew 15:29-37 (HCSB)
Moving on from there, Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee. He went up on a mountain and sat there, and large crowds came to Him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, those unable to speak, and many others. They put them at His feet, and He healed them. So the crowd was amazed when they saw those unable to speak talking, the deformed restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they gave glory to the God of Israel.
Now Jesus summoned His disciples and said, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they’ve already stayed with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry; otherwise they might collapse on the way.”
The disciples said to Him, “Where could we get enough bread in this desolate place to fill such a crowd?”
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked them.
“Seven,” they said, “and a few small fish.”
After commanding the crowd to sit down on the ground, He took the seven loaves and the fish, and He gave thanks, broke them, and kept on giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were filled. Then they collected the leftover pieces—seven large baskets full.
Reflection
Jesus’ popularity is clear – huge crowds are following him, listening to him and watching his amazing actions. They are so enthralled and have been with him so long that they have run out of food! We sometimes hear of lovers or people really caught up in a task forgetting to eat, and maybe there is something of that fascination in this scene.
The abundant and generous way Jesus responds to their need is seen in the amount of food he provides, too much for them to eat.
What is it about Jesus that fascinates or excites you?
We sometimes feel inadequate in the face of the demands of our lives, but when we bring the small amount we have God can make more of it like the fish and loaves.
Bring to God those areas of your life you need increased – energy, faith, patience, confidence – or anything else which comes to mind.
Today’s Music
Click to purchase Bread of Life by Boyce & Stanley