​In today’s Gospel reading about the loaves and fishes there are so many things that could draw our attention. It’s not only an incredible story and an impressive miracle, it’s a beautiful narrative that highlights so many aspects of who we are as humans, and who Christ wants to be for us. Some of the things I like to look at (which we can all do with some spare time!) are: 

The geography in this story – where does Jesus move, and when? Why? 

The mention of the timing of this episode before Passover is also interesting – what does that tell us about the meaning of this miracle? 

I love noticing the characters in this scene and what they all do – of course Jesus, but Philip says some things, Andrew is a central figure, there is mention of Simon, and the huge crowd also plays a role. How does all of this sit with you? 

Today my meditation on this passage has me narrowing in one just one line: “[they were given] as much as they wanted… [and] they were satisfied.”

Maybe it strikes me because I’m so aware of this tendency in myself and my fellow humans to always be cowering in the fear of scarcity. I haven’t personally experienced seasons of my life in which material needs like food, water, and shelter were truly scarce, but so many of our brothers and sisters in the world experience this every day. My heart moves to the father or mother of a family who genuinely does not know if they will be able to put food on the table in another day or month, or to stay in the apartment they increasingly cannot afford. I count myself among the poor in many ways, but this aspect of destitute material poverty I haven’t yet been graced to embrace. 

The scarcity I am thinking of is one of emotional, spiritual, or social resources: Lord, when we have been following You this whole day, to the point of being out in the middle of some field with no food and water, will You provide for us? When my life throws challenges my way that I did not foresee, Lord, will You provide the help I need to get through it? When a friend or a part of my support system is taken away, by death or some other circumstance, Lord, will You provide me with what I need? If at times even my prayer life feels like a desert where barrenness pervades the dusty Earth of my passion for you, when faith is blind and groping in the dark, Lord, will You provide? 

Our God is a God of providence. All of the Earth is His. He is sovereign over every blade of grass and stalk of wheat and fish in the sea. He is also the King of Kings, and His kingdom is among us in our human communities and relationships, broken as they are. 

I take comfort in our fellow human brothers and sisters who were in that scene with Jesus 2000+ years ago. If there were ever a group of people who thought that their immediate needs were almost certainly not going to be provided for, it might have been the crowd of thousands of hungry people who had only five loaves of bread and two measly fish. How was their trust in Jesus rewarded? We can almost hear them witnessing to us: “[We were given] as much as we wanted… [and] we were satisfied!”




Sister Angela Burnham

​A few weekends ago, I was facing this personal confusion as to what God is calling me to (in more than one area of life). I know that I want to do God’s will. But at this stage in my life, what IS God’s will for my life? What vocation is He calling me to? What profession is He calling me to? Or am I already doing the work and living the life that God has called me to? Well, you get the idea – I’ve been experiencing a bout of overthinking and have been endeavouring to discern God’s voice amidst my personal chaos. 

As I pondered over these musings, I recalled something my spiritual director said a few weeks ago. He said that “we have a beautiful faith and a beautiful tradition in the form of Holy Mother Church.” Like a mother who journeys with her children, the Church, in the form of the sacraments and the community around us, journeys with us. This faith family brings to our attention our strengths and weaknesses and helps us discern what we are being called to. So, we do not have to try to figure everything out on our own. I witnessed the power of worshipping as a community during the Steubenville Atlantic 2024 conference. Although I was there only for a few hours, as a volunteer, I had a profound experience during Adoration on Saturday night. I heard God tell me not to be afraid and to be open to what He is going to bring my way.

Like Saint Paul exhorts in this week’s second reading, “lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness.” If I aspire to stay grounded and humble, God will make His will for my life evident in the due course of time. And for now, all I need to do is keep trusting in Him like the Blessed Virgin Mary did amidst an unexpected pregnancy, an exile into Egypt, and after losing her only son when he was only twelve years old. After my recent Consecration to Mary in May of this year, I have been relying on Mama Mary heavily to get me through some confusing times. 

In my life, Mother Mary’s presence is most tangible when I am at my parish of Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica. Not only are there magnificent images of Mama Mary all over the Basilica, but right at the entrance of our cathedral (one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, in my opinion), are the words “One Lord,” “One Faith,” “One Baptism,” which signify that my faith family – which believes in the same Lord, and has the same faith tradition, and is united through our common baptism – is part of my calling. 

And maybe, right now, all I’m called to do is journey with my faith community and fulfill my calling as a member of this community by doing what I do and showing up to what I’m expected to. God will speak to me and let me know the plans He has for me. All I need to do is trust in Him, like Mother Mary did. He did not disappoint her, and he will not disappoint me. 

Heavenly Father, I trust Your plan for my life even when I cannot see what You see. I know that you have placed me exactly where You want me to be, and I am open to all You have in store for me. Mother Mary, keep interceding for me to do what Your Son tells me to do. Amen. 




Rebecca D'mello​