Friday, 2nd Week of Easter
Jesus took the five loaves and two fish of a boy. Obviously, they were not enough – they were practically nothing. However, it was all that Jesus needed to perform a miracle. The small gifts of an insignificant boy were enough to feed everyone. Jesus used this very small thing to do a very great thing. Using the five loaves and two fish of a boy, he was able to feed thousands of people.
Once again, we see here the wondrous way of God: He always involves the human person as participant in his saving work, and not just beneficiary. Here, a great truth is revealed: Whatever a person generously shares, no matter how little or small, in the hands of God it is multiplied and it becomes enough and sufficient. The world likes things to be large, to be big, to be enormous, to be impressive, to be spectacular, to be extraordinary. God chooses the things which are overlooked in the big world.
The gospel is inviting us to look into our hearts and ask ourselves this question: How much of our lives and our resources are we currently placing in the hands of Jesus to do with as he wishes? The miracle of feeding hungry people needs to continue. The miracle of the multiplication of loaves, the miracle of feeding so many people continues through people who give all they have.
The Lord is asking us to give him our own “five loaves and two fish” that he can use to feed the hungry people of our time: Hungry not only for material food, but hungry for deeper things. Starving for understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness. Longing for meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in life. Feeling empty due to loneliness, dryness in prayer, or lack of success in some endeavors. Impoverished by addiction or attachment to various things – money, alcohol, drugs, pleasure, sex, etc. The Lord Jesus is calling upon us to share what we have – no matter how seemingly little and insignificant. It can be our ‘little’ gestures of friendship and fellowship. It can be our ‘little’ words of affirmation and appreciation. It can be our ‘little’ deeds of kindness and generosity. It can be our ‘little’ signs of availability to others. It can be our ‘little’ time, talent and treasure.
One of the most important lessons of today’s gospel story is this: It is never a question of resources. It is a question of commitment. We can certainly say that the miracle of the multiplication of loaves, the miracle of feeding the thousands, continues through people with a deep sense of commitment to be good stewards of God’s gifts.
Parokya ni Osong 