Dear Friends in Christ,
Jesus gave various signs because they had the power to lead people to faith in him. The first sign he gave was the provision of abundant wine at the marriage of Cana. It ‘manifested his glory.’ 
The feeding of the five thousand was also a sign to people, intended to lead them to faith in Jesus. They should have understood that if Jesus had the power to give them bread from heaven (spiritual): ‘do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you.’ Rather than putting their faith in him, the people, instead, wanted to ‘take him by force to make him king’, compelling Jesus to escape into the hills. Signs must be read correctly if they are to bring us to saving faith in Jesus.
Peter and the Twelve correctly read the signs that Jesus gave and refused to leave him: ‘Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.’ The Lord always works ‘signs’ in our lives. They should bring us to greater faith in him: ‘he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name’. What are these ‘signs’? Every day he cares for us, stays at our side, provides for our needs, and keeps us safe under his protection. Through his Word and through his Church, he teaches us and directs our lives. In the Eucharist he nourishes us with his life-giving Word, and feeds us with his own body and blood. These ‘signs’ should lead us into abundant life: ‘I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Do you see the ‘signs’ in your own life? Ask the Lord to show you the countless ways that he cares for you and give you his life in abundance – his gifts of peace, joy and love. Thank him for the ‘signs’ of his love. Declare your faith in him.
St Edmund of Canterbury 