Friday – Second Week of Easter

Gospel – John 6:1-15

Nothing Left to Waste

Leftovers, Upper Galilee

 Let’s go back to the beginning of this 2-year struggle with Covid, back to when all the restrictions were in place and we were all effectively quarantined at home, except in case of some emergency.  It was a time when most of us probably cleaned out the pantry and the freezer, making do with what we had and, in the process, cooking a variety of ‘creative’ meals.  Nothing went to waste!  We made sure to re-purpose leftovers for another meal or two.

Truth be told, we continue to be very particular in not wasting a bit of food; we continue, as best we can, to not throw out any leftovers.  We have come to appreciate what we have and to not let any of it go to waste.

And isn’t that what we hear in today’s Gospel – nothing will be wasted!  Of course, at the time, Jesus was speaking of the 12 baskets of  food left over from the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.  But the words strike much deeper than a loaf of bread or a salted fish.  What about us?  How often do we say that we are nothing special?  How often do we tell ourselves I have nothing to offer, no real talent for anything?  And we leave it go to waste!

Maybe that is the challenge for us today!  Do we recognize the gifts that God has given us?  Do we use them?  Do we give thanks to Him for those talents?  Do we put them to good use for those around us? Or do we reject the gift and let it go to waste?  Our God is a God of love and abundance.  He has gifted each of us with special talents and abilities.  He leaves nothing to chance!  He lets nothing go to waste!  We all have a purpose in life.  Do not let it go to waste!

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  Sunday – 13 th Sunday in Ordinary Time   revisited Gospel – Matthew 10:37-42 The Cost/Rewards of Discipleship Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem I’m holding in my hand a simple piece of paper, barely bigger than an index card.   It’s a mini-golf scorecard and it’s 47 years old.   At the time, the game itself probably cost only about $6.   Certainly a lot less than you would pay today.   So the cost today doesn’t seem like much.   But for me all that time ago, it was a wealth of money.   So it cost me a lot.   But the rewards of the card?   Well, that is priceless.   This was one of the first dates Ginger and I went on.   And who would have guessed how that would turn out?   All the memories we have shared, painful and joyful.   All the times we have shared together and the people who have touched our lives!   Priceless! Cost and reward!   Two vastly different concepts but they play a key role in all of today’s readings.   In the first reading, a rich woman goes out of her way t
Read more
Image
  14 th Sunday in Ordinary Time   revisited Gospel – Matthew 11:25-30 The “Little Ones” Open Market, Jerusalem There’s a story about a rather eccentric teacher who was always looking for creative ways to test (torture) his students.   Sometimes it was crazy project and sometimes it was a wacky exam that tested not just their knowledge but also their experience. So one day he hands out a test, typical normal test, Q/A, except this was the last question.   What’s the name of the school janitor?   One of his students looked at the question and thought – I know he’s short, wears glasses and has light brown hair but how in the world would I know his name?   So he left it blank and turned in his paper. When class was over, he went up to the teacher and asked whether that last question would count in the test grade.   Absolutely, said the teacher.   Throughout your whole life, you will find that every person you cross paths with is important, significant.   They deserve you
Read more
Image
  16 th Sunday in Ordinary Time   revisited Gospel – Matthew 13:24-30 Be Patient, My Child Tied Up in Knots! Many years ago, I remember one summer when it was time for our daughter Jaime to learn how to ride a bicycle.   So I took off the training wheels, she climbed onto the bike and proceeded to take off.   I followed close behind, holding onto the back bumper, trying to keep the bike upright and trying to make sure she didn’t fall.   It was exhausting for both of us.   I thought I was being a good dad by doing everything I could to keep her from falling.   But it didn’t work.   We were both getting frustrated.   Finally, she had had enough and she banished me to sit on the front porch while she worked it out on her own.   It took time and it took a lot of patience, something neither one of us had much of at the start of the process. I was getting impatient with the process and she was getting impatient with me.   Patience was in short supply.   But in the end, patience w
Read more