Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season: Second Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Jn 6:1-15*

*First Reading : Acts 5:34-42*

*“Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”*

*1) A great lesson from Jesus*

Today we reflect about the miracle of feeding the 5000 by Jesus 

At the end of the miracle we have a beautiful and meaningful lesson from Jesus about the management of the resources 

After feeding the 5000 men, Jesus asks his disciples to collect all the left over things so that nothing will be wasted 

This is a great lesson from Jesus which also speaks about managing our various resources in our day today life 

*2) Wastage of the Food, is a great Crime*

The lesson from today's Gospel by Jesus speaks about the wastage of the food 

Today there is a lot of wastage of the food in our functions 

On the one side there are many people who suffer and die without food 

It is said around 25,000 people die worldwide, because of the lack of food 

On the other side there is a lot of wastage of the food by those who have lots of resources to spend

In this context wastage of the food is considered as the great sin because it may result in the death of a poor man, who has nothing to eat 

*3) Everything is the Gift of God*

Everything in the world is a gift of God 

All resources are great gift of God, which are to be used for the betterment of human life and for the greater glory of God 

So we have the responsibility of spending the resources in a responsible way

Nothing is Bad, because everything is created by God 

God created by God, for the Good of all and not for the greed of few 

*4) Wastage of the resources in Life*

The lesson of Jesus about the management of the resources, applies to all the areas of our life

It is not only about the food, but every aspect of our life 

Life is a gift of God, Nothing will be wasted 

Nothing will be wasred from our intelligence

Nothing will be wasted from our energy

Nothing will be wasted about creativity 

Nothing will be wasted from the gift of Time 

Nothing will be wasted from our material resources 

Nothing will be wasted from our knowledge 

Eyes, mind, tongue, ears, emotions, feelings, are the great gift of the Lord to us. Nothing will be wasted from these valuable treasures

*5) Natural Resources*

We have thousands of natural resources which are God's gift to all of us 

Light, solar energy, air, water,  oxygen, and other natural resources are the great gifts of the Lord to us 

We have the responsibility and duty, not to waste these resources  

*6) How do I use my resources?*

Am I using my resources to the fullest extent or not?

All the great saints used their resources in the right way and in right spirit, including their life. Therefore they became great saints 

What about my life? Do I use my resources to the fullest extent? 

What are the hurdles in my life to use my resources? 

Do I waste my resources? 

Life becomes a burden when we fail to use our God given resources

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*