August 2, 2020
Sunday Wey Be Number Eighteen for Ordinary Time, Year A
Readings for Today
Listen for English
E take the five loaves of bread and the two fish, look up to heaven, pray the blessing, break the bread, and give am to the disciples, wey come give am to the crowd. All of dem chop belleful, and dem gather the pieces wey remain—twelve baskets wey dem weave, all full. Matthew 14:19b-20
You don ever feel say wetin you get to offer small? Or say you no fit make any difference for this world? Sometimes, all of us fit dream to become person wey “important,” wey get plenty influence, so that we fit do “great things.” But the truth be say you fit do great things with the “small” thing wey you get to offer.
The Gospel passage for today show say God fit take something wey small well-well, five loaves of bread and two fish, and change dem to food wey go reach tens of thousands of people (“Five thousand men, without counting women and children.” Matthew 14:21)
This story no be only miracle to provide the food wey the crowd wey come listen to Jesus for one lonely place need. E also be sign to us of God power to change wetin we dey offer every day into blessings wey go multiply well-well for the world.
Our aim no suppose be to decide wetin we want make God do with wetin we offer; instead, our aim suppose be to offer everything wey we be and everything wey we get, and leave the change for God hand. Sometimes, wetin we offer fit look small. E fit look like say wetin we offer no go bring any benefit. For example, to offer God the ordinary housework wey we dey do every day or things like that fit look like wetin no go bear fruit. Wetin God fit do with this? The people wey get the bread and fish fit don ask this same question. But see wetin Jesus do with dem!
Every day, we must trust say everything wey we offer God, whether e look big or small, na something wey God go use in way wey go make the good multiply well-well. Even if we no see the good fruits as the people for this story see am, we fit dey sure say the good fruit go plenty.
Today, think deep about every small thing wey you fit offer. Small sacrifices, small acts of love, to forgive people, small ways to serve others, and so on, get value wey nobody fit measure. Make your offering today and leave the rest for God hand.
Lord, I give You my day and every small thing wey I go do today. I give You my love, my service, my work, my thoughts, the things wey dey frustrate me, and every other thing wey I go meet. Abeg, take these small offerings and change dem to grace for Your glory. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saints for Today –
Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop and also Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Priest
We no dey celebrate am as liturgical memorial this year because e fall on Sunday
Picture: Miracle of the Bread and Fish wey Giovanni Lanfranco paint
