How much bread do you have?

Matthew 15:29-37

Jesus returned to the Sea of Galilee and climbed a hill and sat down. 30 A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn't speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all. 31 The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn't been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel. 32 Then Jesus called his disciples and told them, "I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. I don't want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way." 33 The disciples replied, "Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?" 34 Jesus asked, "How much bread do you have?" They replied, "Seven loaves, and a few small fish." 35 So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd. 37 They all ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food.

Food for thought!

Some one remarked: There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative. The miracle in today's gospel is all about attitude.

Did you notice what Jesus did? He first noted: "I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. I don't want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way." Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them. Jesus had a positive attitude; he gave thanks for the few bread, just seven. He did not do like the disciples: "Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?" This is poor attitude at work. Unfortunately, many of us operate like the disciples: we see only the negative side of things; we approach our problems and challenges with a defeated attitude and mind set. No wonder that many times we give up before we start.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past ... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one thing we have, and that is our attitude.... I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you ... we are in charge of our attitudes.

There is always something beautiful to be found, right where you are, if you will look for it. This is what Jesus did to work the miracle: Jesus asked, "How much bread do you have?" Jesus asked the disciples, what little do you have? Don't focus on what you don't have or are not. Instead, do like Jesus, concentrate your thoughts on the good, the beautiful, on what you have, and on the true things of life. This positive, loving attitude of mind can help you perceive the presence of God active in your life and put into operation the divine magic that can open doors to greater usefulness and joy.

“Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.” (Philippians 4,8)

"But how does this positive attitude really work?" you may ask. The only way to prove it to yourself is to give it a good try and see what happens. Practice waking up each day with an inherent expectation of good and with a wonderful feeling of thanksgiving for life itself. Your days will be filled with exciting adventures. Expect the good, and good will come your way; expect evil, and evil will hasten to meet you. When you go for an interview, or conduct one, remember this formula 5% is about availability 5% is about adaptability 5% is about ability 85% is about the attitude of the candidate.