Readings: Is 55.1-3; Ps 145; Rom 8.35, 37-39; Matt 14.13-21
As we slowly begin to realize that the pandemic isn’t going away any time soon, a certain despair or restlessness, a fear and or anxiety begins to cloud over our hearts and even our homes, our relationships with one another. We attempt to find our bearings in a strange new world amid all the happening of these todays, while we are still grieving the loss of the world that used to be. Surrounded by uneasiness, and uncertainty, what can we do? Can we find peace in the midst of the 3Ps – the Pandemic, the Protests for equality and justice and the Political wrangling (think, WE Charity!) in our own country?
For us who believe, our faith can help provide answers to perplexing questions. It is precisely in the search for the meaning, and the value of life that the message of Jesus can find rich soil and produce an abundant spiritual harvest in the mind and hearts of people and societies. Yes, in the bad news, in the struggles of this “dark night of the soul”, the Good News can be more fully seen and appreciated. It is precisely the believer, empowered by Good News, who becomes the instrument of peace, replacing anxiety and evil.
Here’s the paradox: the solutions that believers desire are the very ones that they themselves help to bring about: there is no magic fairy dust, no quick answer, no easy, only the battle in the heart.Victory or defeat is determined by faith, and the perseverance that it encourages.
In the Gospel today, we have an example. The apostles are concerned about the crowd that is following Jesus: it’s getting late and they are in a deserted place. They have good intentions. So, the apostles ask Jesus to dismiss the crowd, so that they can go to the local villages and buy food.
Jesus tells the apostles: “Give them some food yourselves.” A shocking answer. In the same way, we can imagine asking Jesus to take away our pandemic, our protests, our political tensions, and bring peace. The Lord simply says, “Yes, that’s good. Do it! Go and solve these problems.”
This kind of an answer would be as disturbing to us, as it was to the apostles. We can suspect the apostles might have thought, “What is he saying? We don’t have that much food! This is too big for us We can’t solve this problem.” Perhaps, there were even some negative thoughts: “He has the power. “Why doesn’t he just feed them! Why is he making life difficult for us?”
These kinds of thoughts do pass through our minds and hearts as Jesus calls us to go and solve the problems of our day. But, if we accept the invitation, we’re forced to ask: How? What’s the first step?
The apostles were no different. They surveyed the scene and told Jesus, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” They meant it to be a declaration of defeat, but He accepted what they offered, as small as it was: He blessed it, and increased their meager offering to unimaginable levels as he fed over five thousand people.
What would have happened if the apostles didn’t respond and didn’t make their simple offering. What if the apostles chose to wallow in self-pity, negativity, and defeatism: How can we feed over five thousand people?! But the apostles did answer, with their doubts, and Jesus worked a miracle through them and their offering.
As we struggle to preserve hope and find renewed purpose in our world, we have to find our own version of the five loaves and two fish. Jesus calls us to present our gifts, whatever they are, however small we think they are, and Jesus will bless and multiple them. He strengthens us to be instruments in solving the problems of our day. We can’t dismiss the call. We can’t disregard our five loaves and two fish. The work is essential and urgent.