From The Gospel of John, Chapter Six

      Jesus went off to the other side of the Sea of Galilee  and a large crowd followed Him, impressed by the signs He gave by curing the sick.  Jesus climbed the hillside, and sat down there with His disciples.  
      Looking up, Jesus saw the crowds approaching and said to Philip, "Where can we buy some bread for these people to eat?"  Phillip answered, "Two hundred denarii would only buy enough to give them a small piece each."  One of His disciples, Andrew said, "There is a small boy here with five barley loaves and two fish; but what is that between so many?"  Jesus said to them, "Make the people sit down."   Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and gave them out to all who were sitting ready; He then did the same with the fish, giving out as much as was wanted.  When they had eaten enough He said to the disciples, "Pick up the pieces left over, so that nothing gets wasted."  So they picked them up, and filled twelve hampers with scraps left over from the meal of five barley loaves. 

The rest of the story, possibly:   A MOTHER FRETS...I tell you, Rachel, that boy of mine keeps me guessing!  I never know where to find him - - especially when I need him for a chore.  But today, he actually told me where he was going.  Jesus, that young carpenter from Nazareth, is out in our countryside somewhere preaching to a crowd no doubt.  My Jacob and some neighbor boys went off to join the others this morning - You needn't ask me who will be right up front when they reach the place.
       I packed a lunch for him to take along - - just a few of my little barley loaves and a couple of dried fish.  That's more than he needs, but he always shares what he has - I only worry that he will give it all away.  Why, I wouldn't be surprised if he even offers the food to Jesus himself.  If so, surely that good man will see that my boy keeps a little for himself.  Everyone knows that a growing boy has to eat.
                    .......Brother Franklin Cullen, C.S.C./St. Anthony Messenger


I read this little story years ago and saved it.  And it fits nicely with today's Gospel.