We Participate in the Miracle
July 28, 2024
Each of the Gospels include the story of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. Each includes some details that are not in the others. My favorite telling of the story is the Gospel that we hear at Mass today, from the Gospel of Matthew. In Matthew’s telling of the story, we hear of a boy who is present who has five barley loaves and two fish.
The first question that I have as I read this account is, why does he seem to be the only one of 5,000 people on the hillside that day, who has any food? We are not told the answer to that question, so we are left to speculate. My speculation is that this young man is present with his family, who have made the journey to be with other disciples of Jesus that day.
It was the family who brought the bread and fish. At some point that day, Mom and Dad decided to see if they could find friends or other family to visit with, and they left the boy in charge of the food. I can hear them saying very sternly to him, “Listen, you have to keep an eye on this food. No one else seems to have any, and if you turn your back, someone might take ours, and there will be no food for us.” He says to his mom and dad, “You can count on me.”
While they are away, the disciples discover the crisis. Jesus wants them to feed the crowd, and there is no way on earth they can do that. Someone tells Jesus of the boy with the food and sends the disciples to ask him for the bread and fish. They do so.
Think about it. This young man has a major crisis on his hands. His parents have left him in charge of the food and sternly warned him to keep an eye on it. Now Jesus wants him to give the food to Him. What would you do if you were in his shoes? How can he say no to Jesus? But how much trouble will he be in with his parents? What to do? What to do?
The boy gives the food to the disciples, who give it to Jesus. Jesus took the food, blessed it, and gave it to His disciples to distribute it to the crowd. We all know what happens next. Miraculously, there is enough for all to eat. They then gather up what is left over, and 12 baskets are filled.
Let’s reflect on this. If the boy had not given the food to Jesus, the crowd would have gone hungry. It seems that Jesus could multiply what is but could not produce the food out of thin air. But because the boy, in spite of his uncertainty and fear, gave the food to Jesus, a great miracle took place. Jesus asks us to put our lives and our possessions, and our hearts into His hands. If we do, He will bless us and will bless others through us. If not, no miracle will take place.
After the 12 baskets of leftovers were gathered, what was done with that food? We are not told, but my suspicion is that all of that was brought back to the boy, in gratitude for his generosity. Whatever sacrifices you and I make by surrendering our lives to Christ, will be richly repaid. Our reward will be beyond our imaginings.
As Jesus tells us over and over, “Do not be afraid. Just have faith.”
—Fr. Mike Comer
Each of the Gospels include the story of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. Each includes some details that are not in the others. My favorite telling of the story is the Gospel that we hear at Mass today, from the Gospel of Matthew. In Matthew’s telling of the story, we hear of a boy who is present who has five barley loaves and two fish.
The first question that I have as I read this account is, why does he seem to be the only one of 5,000 people on the hillside that day, who has any food? We are not told the answer to that question, so we are left to speculate. My speculation is that this young man is present with his family, who have made the journey to be with other disciples of Jesus that day.
It was the family who brought the bread and fish. At some point that day, Mom and Dad decided to see if they could find friends or other family to visit with, and they left the boy in charge of the food. I can hear them saying very sternly to him, “Listen, you have to keep an eye on this food. No one else seems to have any, and if you turn your back, someone might take ours, and there will be no food for us.” He says to his mom and dad, “You can count on me.”
While they are away, the disciples discover the crisis. Jesus wants them to feed the crowd, and there is no way on earth they can do that. Someone tells Jesus of the boy with the food and sends the disciples to ask him for the bread and fish. They do so.
Think about it. This young man has a major crisis on his hands. His parents have left him in charge of the food and sternly warned him to keep an eye on it. Now Jesus wants him to give the food to Him. What would you do if you were in his shoes? How can he say no to Jesus? But how much trouble will he be in with his parents? What to do? What to do?
The boy gives the food to the disciples, who give it to Jesus. Jesus took the food, blessed it, and gave it to His disciples to distribute it to the crowd. We all know what happens next. Miraculously, there is enough for all to eat. They then gather up what is left over, and 12 baskets are filled.
Let’s reflect on this. If the boy had not given the food to Jesus, the crowd would have gone hungry. It seems that Jesus could multiply what is but could not produce the food out of thin air. But because the boy, in spite of his uncertainty and fear, gave the food to Jesus, a great miracle took place. Jesus asks us to put our lives and our possessions, and our hearts into His hands. If we do, He will bless us and will bless others through us. If not, no miracle will take place.
After the 12 baskets of leftovers were gathered, what was done with that food? We are not told, but my suspicion is that all of that was brought back to the boy, in gratitude for his generosity. Whatever sacrifices you and I make by surrendering our lives to Christ, will be richly repaid. Our reward will be beyond our imaginings.
As Jesus tells us over and over, “Do not be afraid. Just have faith.”
—Fr. Mike Comer
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