Scripture10 Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place, so they[b] sat down, about five thousand in all. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothin...  Read More

Scripture"5 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “Ther...  Read More

Scripture"2A large crowd kept following him because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he hi...  Read More

ScriptureRomans 7:24-25a (NRSV)"Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"ReflectionMost people think of themselves as good people. We work hard, care for our families, help our neighbors, and try to do the right thing. If we're honest, many of us hope that our goodness counts for something.Paul's journey in Romans 7 leads h...  Read More

ScriptureRomans 7:21-23 (NRSV)“So I find it to be a law that, when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.”ReflectionFew things are more discouraging than giving your best effort and still feeling like you'...  Read More

ScriptureRomans 7:15-19 (NRSV)"I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I who do it but sin that dwells within me. For I know that the good does not dwell within me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do the good lies close at hand, but not the abil...  Read More