The Feeding of the 5000
Saturday 24th July 2021
The crowd came a long way to hear Jesus and now find themselves in a deserted area without food. Jesus in his compassion inquires about the food supply on hand and finds all that is available is five barley loaves and two fishes in the possession of a boy. The boy must be shocked when asked to give up all that he has and part with his only food. However, his sacrifice is well rewarded when he sees Jesus feed the multitude with the food he provided. What is given to Jesus as a sacrifice is given back by him totally transformed. The crowd is fed, symbolising that Jesus has come to give life to all people.
But the hungry multitude is still with us, crying out for the basic necessities of life. Not many of us have experienced the pangs of real hunger which darkens the mind and forces an honest person to become a thief. Our problem is that we have too much food. The inclination to be selfishness is strong. The more we have the more we want.
We can draw inspiration from the generosity of the young boy. It is in our little efforts that God chooses to produce his greatest miracles. Our own barley loaf and fish may be the small amount we set aside as a family for the poor. On its own, the contribution may seem insignificant but multiplied around a caring community it can be a miracle.
Thankfulness for what we have got, can be a beginning. Every day we live in this world is a miracle of God's divine providence, much greater than the feeding of the multitude, but because it happens with such regularity we give it no thought. This story should make us think about thanking God not only for our food but for the many blessings and benefits that come our way and which we take so much for granted.
Stay safe and well always.
Fr. Arsenio