That little boy

Sunday’s readings speak about God’s generosity. We read the story of the multiplication of the 5 loaves and 2 fishes after Jesus felt sorry for the people who came to listen to him preach. A beautiful modern painting of this miracle is the one found at Resurrection chapel at Hilltop Gardens in Naxxar, a work of art done by John Grima. It is one of six panels that embellish this chapel where I say Mass daily. However, I feel sad that the artist did not include the little boy, who actually provided the 5 loaves and 2  fishes for the miracle to take place. Granted that Jesus was the one who performed the miracle, but a little credit should have been given to the boy.  I always wonder what went through that boy’s mind when they took his lunch from his protective hands. I wonder what he might have told his mother that evening.....’Hey mom, guess what....I fed 5000 people today with the loaves and fishes that you gave me this morning!’ To which his mother would have answered: ‘Stop lying, and go to your room and say sorry to Jesus.’ Poor lad – children should be listened to, appreciated and admired, because they may have something special to share with us. So often we give them little attention, but remember what Jesus said about them when the apostles were trying to get rid of them....’Let the children come to me.’ Let us be grateful for God’s generosity, and let us be generous ourselves to others.