Today’s reading in the Catholic tradition, from the Second Book of Kings have words of such simplicity yet depth of meaning, as to transcend through the ages in its relation to the Miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand (John 6:1-15).

It is also the hallmark of hospitality in many cultures, both Eastern and Western, and reflects the generosity and largess that stems from God’s abundance and gifts of the Earth, its produce and the inherent virtues of created things.

 2 Kings 4:42-44

A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing Elisha, the man of God, bread from the first-fruits, twenty barley loaves and fresh grain in the ear.’ ‘Give it to the people to eat’, Elisha said. But his servant replied, ‘How can I serve this to a hundred men?’ ‘Give it to the people to eat’ he insisted ‘for the Lord says this, “They will eat and have some left over.”’ He served them; they ate and had some left over, as the Lord had said.

(Lumix G85; 75-300 M Zuiko)
(Scripture reading from the Jerusalem Bible, © Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, Random House, Inc,)