RBWords

     It can be a very frustrating and overwhelming feeling to realize that one has undertaken a task that seems impossible to fulfill in the face of incredible needs.  I think of all the various individuals and agencies trying to deal with refugees in the Middle East, Africa and even here on our southern borders!  There seems no end to the need!  The disciples are facing a crowd of more than five thousand people who are hungry!  Their available resources are so small that they could only serve as a symbol and not a meal!  That is precisely the point of the story, however. 

 

     The hunger and size of the crowd are more than physical.  They need hope as much as food!  The frustration of the disciples is real because they do not know how to respond to Jesus' challenge to feed the crowd.  It is Jesus' words that settle the whole thing:  "Bring them here to me."  The bits of bread and fish become food for a great number.  Jesus is the one who can feed them.  The evangelist Matthew is showing that the Christian community was already reflecting on the significance of this event for their own situation years after Jesus' death and resurrection. 

 

     Now it is our turn!  Our own feelings that we can do little to help overwhelming needs must find in Jesus the strength to do what we can.  Yes, there are "Eucharistic"  overtones to the great feeding.  Our sacramental tradition was already being shaped.  But the story doesn't stop there.  We can "over-spiritualize" the incident to the point that we absolve ourselves of any duty to relieve real physical hunger in our midst!  What we celebrate in church must be reflected in what we do for the hungry, thirsty, naked, and oppressed brothers and sisters in our world.  No resource is too small when we bring it to Jesus.  AMEN