Now that the Lord has come and is manifested to all who believe, they will hear his message to hear the cry of the poor.  In this way we join all others in the world in our worship and adoration of the Savior.  Now, in early January after the Epiphany we see that love is like the five loaves and two fishes – there never seems to be enough food to go around until we start giving it away.

Memorial of Saint John Neumann

1 John 4:7-10

Psalm 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8

M ark 6:34-44  (alternate reading: John 1:43-51) As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the hour is now late; 36 send them away, to go into the country and villages round about and buy themselves something to eat." 37 But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?" 38 And he said to them, "How many loaves have you? Go and see." And when they had found out, they said, "Five, and two fish." 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And 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 to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

Meditation by Paul Mahowald, S.J.

We all are moving from the warm feelings of the holidays to the long cold winter of a more ordinary time.  We reflect also in today’s readings about the change from the coming of the baby Jesus in the infancy stories to teachings of the Sermon on the Mount - the service of the adult Jesus treating our needs.  Both are based on his love for us.  John says we have had the love of God revealed to us when God sent his only begotten Son so that we might have life through him.

The gospel tells the familiar story of the multiplication of loaves and fishes to feed the large crowd following him.  He was moved with pity for them and then fed them.  Jesus blessed the people and served them as he still does for us.  Always because of our needs he has pity on us and helps us.

He has given us the gift of faith so we trust in his love for us.  He forgives our sins again and again when we have sorrow for them and a desire to become better.  He shows us that the Kingdom of God is present even now in each of our lives if only we help the poor and needy, the depressed and fearful.

The Psalm today reminds us that we are to follow the Lord and treat the people with justice and love.  Every nation on earth will adore the Lord God when his people follow his teachings to bring peace and justice to all and defend the afflicted and the children of the poor.

These readings prompt us to continue the good feeling we have had during this Christmas season.  Now that the Lord has come and is manifested to all who believe, they will hear his message to hear the cry of the poor.  In this way we join all others in the world in our worship and adoration of the Savior.  Now, in early January after the Epiphany we see that love is like the five loaves and two fishes – there never seems to be enough food to go around until we start giving it away.

Supplementary Reading

PRomISES

. . . to fulfill his vows… – 1 Samuel 1:21

My friend met a man on a tour. They became prayer partners, remained close even outside community activities, then fell for each other. But fear kept them from divulging their real feelings.

I knew how much they cared for each other and longed to grow old with each other. But the man had a serious issue. Years before he met my friend, he had consecrated himself to the Lord, much like what a priest vows at his ordination — celibacy, poverty, obedience. How could he marry her?

One Sunday, after giving a seminar to a group of nuns, they went home. She rode a taxi; he crossed the street and waved a hand in goodbye. She never saw him again.

My friend grieved over him. I believe the man did, too. But fulfilling his vows to the Lord was more important than any earthly vow he could make.

In life, we make promises — some we keep, some we break. But nothing should get in the way of fulfilling our promises to the Lord. In a few days, it will be 2009. Are there any promises you have yet to fulfill to God before the year is over? --- Tess Atienza

REFLECTION:

Losers make promises they often break. Winners make commitments they always keep. (Denis Waitley)

Lord, help me fulfill my promises to You.