August 4, 2025
St. John Vianney
Food Lessons
Where can I get meat to give to all this people? …I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me.
Numbers 11:13A, 14

Moses’ complaint-prayer comes out of his anguish at hearing his people weeping. What parents do not feel anguish when their children cry in pain they cannot remedy? In his prayer, Moses finds wisdom: He cannot carry them; only God can—or rather, God and he together.

Perhaps it’s their difficulty believing that Jesus is God that causes the disciples to reject a similar plea for help in today’s Gospel. Thousands of people are hungry and in pain. Instead of following Moses’ example and asking Jesus’ help, they propose a practical plan to solve the problem. But Jesus wants the people near; he knows how to feed them and how his disciples can feed them.

We’re taught this lesson and given this food in every Eucharist. It’s the gift that is God, giving us himself for our food, and teaching us to give ourselves as food for one another.

- Mary Marrocco

Numbers 11:4b-15 ✚ Psalm 81:12-17 ✚ Matthew 14:13-21
Silhouette of monk on the mountain in prayer. Image by kichigin19 | stock.adobe.com
Image of the day

Comments

Salina
August 4, 2025 at 11:44 AM

Moses' complaints (prayer) to God was no different than that of the Israelites' complaints to Moses!!! *** Moses'complaints in Numbers 11:10-15, "Moses heard people from every family crying at the entrances to their tents. The Lord became very angry. So Moses became upset. He asked the Lord, “Why have You brought this trouble on me? Why aren’t You pleased with me? Why have You loaded me down with the troubles of all these people? Am I like a mother to them? Are they my children? Why do You tell me to carry them in my arms? Do I have to...
Read more

Stormi
August 4, 2025 at 09:31 AM

Mary, thank you for all those words of encouragement. The disciples are human and they want to fix the problem. Don't we all? Jesus is the answer to fixing the problem they just didn't know that at first. Prayer and letting Jesus help us with the problem is what it is all about eh? Blessings to all the LFF, especially those with extra needs these days, Craig and others. May God guide us all in our daily lives to continue to pray for direction. May the Holy Trinity fill the hearts of all the world leaders and guide them to...
Read more

Holly
August 4, 2025 at 09:28 AM

Amen.

Aaron D.
August 4, 2025 at 08:56 AM

AMEN!

Gary
August 4, 2025 at 08:55 AM

Peace to everyone. Amen!

freeter
August 4, 2025 at 08:43 AM

Amen.

Craig
August 4, 2025 at 08:41 AM

Lord help me with my financial problem now please help me to not dwell over it and just keep working heard and take care of it in your name I pray Amen Amen Amen

Anne L.
August 4, 2025 at 07:46 AM

So often like Moses, our burdens weigh us down so much that, like Moses, we are ready to just give up. Jesus tells us not to wait so long until we call upon him in our need. Matt 11:28 -30 “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest…. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Salina
August 4, 2025 at 02:36 AM

I see something different than food in today’s readings! *** Jesus frequently quoted Scripture (God’s Word) in the Old Testament! See if you find out how many times in the New Testament Jesus quoted Scripture (God’s Word) in the Old Testament? *** My daily bread is God’s Word to fill my mind, my heart, my soul and my strength!*** In today’s reading, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 in Matthew 4:4, “But He (Jesus) answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.’” ******* Isaiah 55:10-11, “For as the...
Read more

Silhouette of monk on the mountain in prayer. Image by kichigin19 | stock.adobe.com
Image of the day

STAY CONNECTED

Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.

Receive a free reflection for Sundays every week via email

About Living Faith Living Faith Foundation Ambassador Privacy Policy F.A.Q. Contact Us

© 2026 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, lnc. All Rights Reserved.