The story of the feeding of the four thousand shows us, on the one hand, that the Lord not only takes care of our spiritual needs, but also our physical needs. On the other hand, this story shows us that there is often a deep spiritual message hidden in external signs.

The Gospel tells us that Jesus had compassion on the people gathered around Him because He saw that they had nothing to eat, and He knew that not all of them might have enough strength to return home.

Jesus said unto his disciples, “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” How can our righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees?

We all probably have a longing in our hearts for peace and security, for a simple and quiet life. Just like in this song written half a century ago: “Oh, take your time, don’t live too fast / Troubles will come and they will pass / You’ll find a woman, yeah, and you’ll find love / And don’t forget, son, there is someone up above.”

Today's Epistle seems to support this dream: "Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous… For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile… Let him seek peace, and pursue it.”

On June 29, the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul is celebrated. According to the ancient tradition of the Church, they both died as martyrs in the same year and on the same day, both in Rome, although in different places.

In the ancient tradition of the Church, there are only three persons whose birthdays are liturgically celebrated: Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His Mother, and John the Baptist.
John the Baptist's birthday is June 24, six months before the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord.

The birth of John the Baptist is so important that the evangelist Luke begins his gospel with it – in fact, with its prelude. We are told of his parents who were pious people, but God had not blessed them with children.