For Parents To Teach To Their Children
In this week’s Bible story, there are two readings for Sunday that talk about feeding many with very little food. The first is from the Old Testament where the prophet, Elisha, tells his servant to place a small amount of food in front of a hundred hungry people. The Lord says, “They shall eat and there shall shall be some food left over…And when they had eaten, there was some left over, as the Lord had said.” In the story of the multiplication of the loaves, Jesus gives thanks to God….”and multiplies the food so that everyone is able to have their fill.” He multiplies two fish and five loaves of bread so that 5000 men can eat, and still have leftovers for the hungry. In MagnifiKid! July 25, 2021, Page 3, Editor, Lisa Reno states, “Get into the habit of thanking God for the food that he gives us by making a sign of the cross and saying a prayer which begins with ‘Thank you, my God, for this meal…”
Our Art Gallery
The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes
Our Materials and Methods
Gather the tools you’ll need–two sheets of watercolor paper, a brush, and a box of watercolors. You’ll also need scissors and glue to make a collage. With the first sheet of paper, paint a background of abstract colors, as you wish. On the second sheet of paper, paint as many colors as you wish in any pattern you like. When dry, flip the second sheet over and use a pencil to draw then cut out the two fish, or five loaves of bread, or the hill where the men are fed. Next, cut and paste your chosen shape onto the first sheet of paper. This is called a “collage” when paper is clued to something else, such as cardboard. I made three of these collages to narrate the story. As you can see, my fish and bread and mountains are whimsical. This is a beautiful Bible story to paint.
I used my new watercolors and brushes. The watercolor paper is in a different size than the tablets I have. I love using watercolor paper for many crafts because it is strong and won’t tear or disintegrate. I always buy art supplies intended for children. These are the fanciest watercolors I have owned and it’s fun. However, products for children are great and are usually inexpensive. I hope you enjoy doing art with your children and grandchildren.
Our Readings
First Reading, 2 Kings, Chapter 4
“A man came from Baal-shalishah bringing to Elisha, the man of God,
twenty barley loaves made from the first fruits,
and fresh grain in the ear.
Elisha said, ‘Give it to the people to eat.’
But his servant objected,
‘How can I set this before a hundred people?”’
Elisha insisted, ‘Give it to the people to eat.’
For thus says the LORD,
‘They shall eat and there shall be some left over.’
And when they had eaten, there was some left over,
as the LORD had said.”
Gospel
“Multiplication of the Loaves.”
Jn 6:1-15
USCCB.Org
“Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.
A large crowd followed him,
because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.
Jesus went up on the mountain,
and there he sat down with his disciples.
The Jewish feast of Passover was near.
When Jesus raised his eyes
and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,
he said to Philip,
‘Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?’
He said this to test him,
because he himself knew what he was going to do.
Philip answered him,
‘Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough
for each of them to have a little.’
One of his disciples,
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,
‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;
but what good are these for so many?’
Jesus said, ‘Have the people recline.
Now there was a great deal of grass in that place.
So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,
and distributed them to those who were reclining,
and also as much of the fish as they wanted.
When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,
‘Gather the fragments left over,
so that nothing will be wasted.’
So they collected them,
and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments
from the five barley loaves
that had been more than they could eat.
When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,
‘This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.
Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off
to make him king,
he withdrew again to the mountain alone.”
Our Prayer Before Meals
“Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.” Make the Sign of the Cross.