In my dining room at home, there is a plaque with the following scripture verse: “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3). Whenever I find myself complaining about the price of groceries, or the cost of gas, or an increase in our electric bill, almost inevitably, I look up and notice the plaque. It’s a great reminder of how quickly I forget that God is always faithful to provide for my needs.

Today’s gospel passage portrays Jesus’ friends as forgetful of the fact that God has always been faithful to provide. Just a few verses earlier, they were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ miraculous feeding of 4,000 people. But here they were in the boat, worrying that they only had one loaf of bread. And while Jesus was trying to teach them a lesson about King Herod’s and the Pharisees’ opposition to his teaching, all they could think about was how little food they had to eat. Jesus’ next words to them could be paraphrased as follows: “HELLO! Didn’t you just see what happened a short time ago? Don’t you know that I can provide for all your necessities? What other proof do you need?”

How soon the disciples forgot. But let’s not be too quick to criticize them. After all, how many times have we lost sight of God’s infinite love for us and God’s desire to satisfy all our needs?

How can we “open our eyes and ears,” even wider, to notice God’s goodness toward us?

Lord, help me to overcome my “spiritual amnesia” and remember the many wonderful gifts you have given me. Amen.