First Reading
2 Kings 4:42-44

1. Twenty loaves won’t be enough to feed the crowd. Elisha knows this. He has to trust God over his own logic. Is this leap-of-faith kind of trust ever required in your life? Discuss whether this kind of trust becomes easier with practice.

2. Both Elisha and the man from Baal-shalishah had to trust that a miracle would happen. Do you consider anything besides “something that breaks the laws of nature” a miracle? What are some everyday miracles in your life?

Second Reading
Ephesians 4:1-6

1. Paul reminds the brothers and sisters to “strive to preserve unity.” Was this a directive only for the Ephesians? What do you do to preserve unity?

2. Which would be better, to preserve the peace by not talking to anyone with whom we disagree, or preserve the unity by staying at the table and talking it out?

Gospel
John 6:1-15

1. Perhaps Jesus’ sharing encouraged all the others to share their food…the first potluck. What negative qualities in human nature does sharing go against? Using this interpretation of the feeding of 5000, what are the implications regarding the inequality of resources and starvation all over the world?

2. What do you think God is more likely to do, miraculously drop food where there is starvation or inspire people to help their neighbors solve their problems? If the latter, how can you help (through the Holy Spirit) in third world countries, your city, diocese, parish, office, or neighborhood?