Aviel was a 14-year-old only child when his father died unexpectedly.

“Ima,” he asked his mother, “Why did my prayers not save my Abba and what will become of us? I have no trade skills in rawhide crafts as he did. I only looked after the pack animals while he fashioned and sold the harnesses that made them obey. I suppose I could sell the leather carrying bag he made for me with the divide in the middle to keep foods separated and fresh. But how will become of us without him?”

“Keep the satchel,” she replied confidently. “God will show us a way.”

Early the next morning, Aviel woke to the enticing aroma of baking bread and savory fish.

“What is this?” he asked, rubbing his eyes in wonder.

“Food for the travelers,” she answered. “Crowds have covered the highlands to hear a Nazarene preacher. They will need nourishment, and you will have these loaves and fishes to satisfy their hunger and to support our survival.”

“I’m going to sell food?” he asked in bewilderment.

“Yes, my son, and for a wholesome profit to anyone with an appetite and coins.”

Aviel carefully separated the fish and bread into his sectioned pouch, mounted their mule, and went off to the mountain where thousands of visitors had gathered. They would surely be hungry and eager to buy his mother’s mouth-watering fare.

When he reached the summit of the grassy hillside, he was greeted by a follower of the Teacher: “Do you have anything to eat?” he was asked.

“I have five loaves and two fish freshly baked this morning … for a reasonable price.”

“We have neither silver nor gold, but the Master is never outdone in generosity.”

The boy surrendered his foodstuffs and watched in amazement as so many loaves and fishes were being distributed from the few he had brought. This was way beyond the seven items his mother had prepared hours ago, but in the end everyone was satisfied.

The apostle returned his pouch, now packed with baked fish. Also, a young girl took a handmade headscarf she had woven and wrapped 12 loaves of leftover bread for Aviel to tie to his saddle.

Once home, he excitedly greeted his mother, “Look, Ima, at all the fish we have now,” as he opened the flap of his bag. “And there is more,” he added as he rushed outside to retrieve the long linen stole containing a dozen loaves of bread.

“I don’t understand,” his mother said in confusion. “You were supposed to sell these, not get more. We could never eat all this food before it spoils.”

“We can give it to the poor and the lepers so it will not go to waste,” he suggested.

Meanwhile, his mother took a closer look at the woven scarf. “This is fine work and should fetch a hefty sum when we take it to the market.”

“Ah no, Ima,” Aviel interrupted. “I must return that to the girl who lent it to me.”

“Girl? What girl? What is her name?” his mother asked in surprise.

“A beautiful girl my age and very kind. We sat together listening to the Rabbi, and she gave away all the linens and towels she intended to sell except this one, which she gave to me to carry the leftovers. I promised I would return it to her parent’s house tomorrow. Her name is Veronica.”

Holy Homework:

This Lent, which begins on February 18, let’s donate some bread rolls, linens, or canned goods to a local pantry for the poor.

Comments may be sent to FatherBobPagliari@Yahoo.com