And Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish and, raising his eyes to heaven, he pronounced a blessing, broke the loaves, and handed them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them.They all ate and everyone had enough. The disciples gathered up what was left, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces of bread and fish. Five thousand men had eaten there.
Reflections
“You, yourselves, give them something to eat.”Behind each miracle there is a lurking question: Why this one? If Jesus could feed a multitude with five loaves and two fish, why not feed every crowd? Why not feed the whole world? One answer, of course, is that Jesus did not come to rectify all our problems from above, but to in augurate what Pope Francis has called a “revolution of tenderness.” This begins from below— with the spirit of mercy, solidarity, and fellow feeling.The saints did not begin with large budgets and fundraising schemes. They began with faith and the means at hand, trusting that God would make the increase. They did not assume that their charitable programs— caring for the sick, feeding the hungry, or rescuing orphans— would singlehandedly resolve large social issues. But they brought their faith, their vision, their resolve, with confidence that God could take these small loaves and fishes and multiply them.We may look around the world and see the overwhelming magnitude of suffering and human need. Why doesn’t someone do something about this? Why doesn’t God do something about this? He answers: “You yourselves, give them something to eat.” That is how God’s miracles begin.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019