The Secret Act of God the Father

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021426.cfm

Father Anthony Gramlich, MIC, reveals a “secret act” parents perform every single day: They feed their children.

Parents work, shop, cook, and provide. Children depend. And the right response of a child is simple — gratitude.

Not complaining.

Not entitlement.

Thanksgiving.

But this isn’t just about family life. It’s about God.

Everything is a gift. The rain. The sun. The soil. Even the worms that turn the earth. We don’t earn these blessings. We don’t deserve them. Yet God gives them anyway because He is a Father who loves His children.

In the Gospel, Jesus feeds the 4,000 (see Mk 8:1-10). Before multiplying the loaves, He gives thanks. Then He distributes the bread through His disciples. A miracle. Seven loaves. Seven baskets left over. The number of perfection.

Why seven? Because God feeds us not only physically, but spiritually through the seven Sacraments. Through Holy Mother Church. Through His priests. Through the “super-substantial bread” of the Eucharist.

God cares about everything in your life — your home, your bills, your health, your children, even your pets. Nothing is too small for Divine Providence.

So what should we do?

Be like children. Receive. And give thanks.

Gratitude lifts the soul. Gratitude delights the Father. Gratitude transforms what we have into abundance.

Everything is gift. Give thanks.