Today’s Catholic Reflection
In Acts, Gamaliel speaks to the Sanhedrin Apostles. He urges them to be careful, recalling leaders from the past who gained followers but eventually failed. He suggests that if the Apostles' mission is merely human, it will not last. If it is from God, nothing can stop it. The council agrees, but they still have the Apostles flogged and order them to stop preaching about Jesus. Despite this, the Apostles leave rejoicing for their suffering and continue to share the message of Christ.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is followed by a large crowd as he crosses the Sea of Galilee. He sees their hunger and tests Philip by asking how to feed them. Philip worries they do. Jesus takes the loaves, gives thanks, and distributes them, feeding about five thousand people. After everyone is satisfied, the disciples gather the leftovers, filling twelve baskets. The crowd recognizes Jesus as a prophet and wants to make him king, so he withdraws to the mountain alone.