How can I be grateful for having less? Others would say, "be thankful for what you have." I realized how limited my mind is and how human I am for I tend to ask and seek for more blessings. There is always something in me that thirsts for more. Whenever I feel I have less or what I have seems inadequate, I feel paralyzed. I cannot move freely. How many times have I passed by the poor, the beggars asking for change? How many times in the past have I avoided friends asking for help, for time, for financial assistance, for advice? I already have been used to sending people away whenever I feel that I have less, whenever I feel inadequate. All these because I am afraid of not being able to give them anything and the fear that I might not have enough or anything left for myself. So, I tend to send them away or avoid them.

Just like the disciples in the Gospel for today, they asked Jesus to dismiss the crowds to buy food for themselves since it was already late and they were in a deserted place. But Christ instructed them to give them food themselves. Perhaps this is also God's challenge for me, to go beyond my limitations and inadequacy.

Our Lord Jesus Christ invites me to see bounty and blessings amidst scarcity and to still share even if I have less. All I need is to trust Him and give my five loaves and two fishes to Him so that He may bless them. God creates miracles in grateful hearts. Sometimes, having less is a good opportunity to give more. All we need is to be open and docile to God's word.

By: Sem. Paulo O. Magistrado

Today's Gospel

Mt 14:13-21

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist,
he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.
The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns.
When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick.
When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said,
"This is a deserted place and it is already late;
dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages
and buy food for themselves."
He said to them, "There is no need for them to go away;
give them some food yourselves."
But they said to him,
"Five loaves and two fish are all we have here."
Then he said, "Bring them here to me,"
and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,
he said the blessing, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples,
who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied,
and they picked up the fragments left over–
twelve wicker baskets full.
Those who ate were about five thousand men,
not counting women and children.