To get into the particular "gospel moment," imagine you are walking with St. John, the gospel writer, during the climbing of a hillside along with Jesus and other disciples.  Try to hear what Jesus and the others might be saying, especially when the realized a large part of the Passover crowd that was gather had started to follow after Jesus.  Why?  The news of miraculous "sign" or miracles for the sick would naturally draw all kinds of curiosity seekers.  Surely one or more of the disciples might have said what most of us today would say:  "Give the man a break."  Nevertheless after climbing the hillside, Jesus sat down with the disciples probably to take a break.  But the crowd pressed on.

Aware of the time of day and the crowd, Jesus knew they must have been hungry.  Surely they did not pack a picnic lunch/dinner for the occasion.  Jesus was more concerned about their hunger than being tired or the time of the day.  He did not grouse.  Rather he was concerned about giving them something to ease the pangs of their hunger.  Do you have a real, genuine confidence that Jesus  will answer your "hunger" when you feel the pangs?  Did you ever ask?  Did you take the time not to complain about the problem, the issue, but to simply ask "I need your help.  I have a particular hunger and I'm not succeeding in getting it to go away."  Have you been strong enough to admit your weakness?

You know the rest of the story in the "gospel moment."  With "five barley loaves and two fish" Jesus responded to the obvious needs that the disciples seemed to have missed.  Could we say that there have been times when we did not see the need, the hunger in others' lives?  Would we be like the disciples in the blindness, their seeming lack of concern?

In the responsorial psalm, Psalm 27, King David expresses his trust, his hope in God (vv.13-14):  "I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living."  He means the here and now not at some time after death.  Further he says "Wait for the Lord with courage.  Let your heart be firm and bold, and hope for the Lord."  We might not get instantaneous fulfillment.  But the King, clearly relating his own experiences, tells us "Be firm, be stouthearted at those times when your huger needs more than "five barley loaves and two fish."

Don't simply read these thoughts.  Hopefully they will help you speak to Jesus, speak with God the Father, speak with St. John who was there.  He is your risen Savior.  He is your God.  He came to save you from whatever "hunger" you might be experiencing.  Let him answer your hunger.  But you have to ask!