Traits and virtues can describe the personality and character of a person.  We can say, "John is brave," but we do not say, "John is bravery."  Yet the love of God so clearly expresses, so literally personifies the personality and character of God that John, in our first reading today, can say, "God is love."

That statement sounds great, but it involves its own peril.  In order to know God and to have a relationship with God, I must be a loving person.  The second reading shows me just how I must be loving.  I must be alert and responsive to the needs of others, just as Jesus was to the hunger of the crowd.  My responses, at times, might involve hardship and require courage.  Not exactly a half-hearted type of love.

The hopefulness of God's love is held out to us also in the second reading.  The multiplication of the loaves and fishes is considered a foreshadowing of the Eucharist.  Through this sacred meal, God, who is love, spiritually and physically becomes part of us.  It is our sharing of divine love.  It is through our participation in this meal that we come to knowledge of and relationship with God.  Only a God who is love could provide such a gift of love in our lives.