Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Octoechos Tone 7; The Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus; Holy Venerable-Martyr Eudocia (98-117)
Dormition Fast.
Read
1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 14:14-22
You give them something to eat. This is the invitation of our Lord to the apostles to trust in Him and His power. They do not take up this invitation. Rather, they decide to rely upon their own resources and power—five barley loaves and two fishes (Fr. Lawrence Farley notes that these are not large fish but the size of sardines). The Lord reveals His power in the multiplication of this food for 4000+ people. Perhaps you can imagine the apostle—humbled in that they failed to trust in Him, and gobsmacked in awe at the sheer magnitude of this miracle.
How often has the Lord asked each on of us to trust in Him and, like the apostles, we turn to our own resources and rely on our own power and tell Him, “I can’t. There isn’t enough.” “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23).
It is when we give up and give in to our Lord each and every day wherein He reveals His awesomeness, His great and mighty power, and fulfils our needs.
Give up. Give in. Watch and witness.