Have you ever wanted to be part of something bigger? Even the most independent among us likes to make changes and have an impact on others. In this Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus demonstrates one of his most iconic miracles -- the multiplication of the loaves. It is a sign of the institution of the Eucharist, when we are fed not by bread but by the Body of Christ.

Ray was born and raised in the California Bay Area. He is the youngest of 6 kids! Ray excelled in football, wrestling, and baseball all throughout grade school and high school. Ray grew up as a Parishioner of Saint Martins in San Jose! He has over 25 years work experience.

While in the Bay Area, he was a contractor for some of Silicon Valley’s finest corporations. He was onsite working in facilities at Apple Computer and Oracle Corporation to name a couple. He was hired as a Facilities Manager for a Software gaming company. He spent 6 years with them. He moved to Arizona in 2003. He then went to work as a Service Technician for a Phoenix based medical equipment company. He was with them for 15 years.

Ray and his wife have 4 daughters and 4 grandchildren. Ray is an avid SF Giants, SF 49’rs, and Golden State Warriors Fan. He loves the beach ,camping, traveling, sports and being outdoors.

"He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two." This Sunday we read the first sending of the Apostles to preach, teach, and heal. For many of us, it can be easy to think we "just don't have enough" to be disciples and evangelists ourselves. We don't have enough education and training. We don't have enough experience talking to people about Jesus. We don't pray enough. We don't have enough faith.

Today's Gospel offers a rare framework - a story in a story. Most of the healing miracles are standalone encounters. One person approaches Jesus, demonstrates faith, and is healed. The evangelist tells the next story. This Gospel, however, is different. Jesus is on his way to heal one person, a young girl of twelve, and is interrupted on his journey by "a woman afflicted with hemorrhages." She bravely approaches Jesus in a crowd, despite being ritually unclean from her bleeding, and stretches out to touch his cloak. She is healed! Jesus meets her eye, confirms her faith, and continues on to resurrect the young girl.

Reading this passage, it might be easier to identify with one story - the long-suffering woman or the young, innocent girl - and to move past the other. But here they sit side by side. The girl is twelve. The woman has been suffering for twelve years. For the Gospel writers, number parallels have deep symbolic meaning.