EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY, ORDINARY TIME YR A
Is 55:1-3; Ps 145;
Rom. 8:35,37-39; Matt. 14:13-21
JESUS RESPONDS TO OUR NEEDS
The gospel today presents us with the story of Jesus’ feeding of at least five thousand people with five loaves and two fish. It is important to remember that this miracle is the only one recorded in all the four gospels. It’s as if to say that it’s so important you can’t ignore it.
Jesus had moved to a quiet place to mourn his cousin, John the Baptist, who has just been murdered. I believe this event filled him with so much grief because they grew up together. Secondly, it was indicative of what awaits him. It was also a lonely moment for Jesus, because he no longer has support. He is left all alone in this ministry of turning the hearts of the children of Israel to the Lord.
It was in this atmosphere that the people came to Jesus. They literally intruded on his privacy and his personal space. If it was any of us we would have sent them away because it was not a good time. But not Jesus. The scripture says when “he saw the crowd; his heart was moved with pity for them” (Mtt 14:14b). The word translated “pity” is the Greek “splgchinizomaai”. This word is used to describe the internal organs. It is the strongest word used for the feeling of compassion.
Scripture is telling us that Jesus in his mourning was moved rather for the people. He was moved from the depth of his being for the needs of the people. Why were they looking for Jesus? They brought their sick, some their troubled spirit, others the need for some direction and certainly some would like to see how he was dealing with the grief. Whatever it is, Jesus is moved from the very depth of his heart by human suffering, pain and sickness. He cares enough to break his routine for your sake. Nothing can stop him from restoring, healing and feeding you. Are you sick? Are you lost? Are you confused? Are you frustrated? Look for Jesus.
When it was evening, the disciples came to Jesus and asked he sends the people away so they could get food for themselves but Jesus challenges them to “give them food yourselves” (Matt. 14:16). Did Jesus really mean that they should go and find food that evening for over five thousand people? certainly not. This challenge was to point to the fact that he and only he truly provides for the people. I him God is our provider. When life becomes too challenging, put the focus on Jesus. you cant but Jesus can. You must allow the Lord the room to be able to cause the miracle and breakthrough need. And you can only do that by accepting that only he has the power to turn things around in your situation. Here the challenge is not for you to do something about it, the challenge is to be humble enough and allow Jesus. remember, “with man it is impossible but with God all things are possible” (Matt 19:26).
When the disciples brought to the Lord only fives loaves and two fish, they remarked, “that is all we have”. This was to point to the inadequacy of what was available. Jesus took it, gave thanks to God and asked them to distribute it. It increased as they distributed it, so much so that it fed over five thousand people. Thanksgiving is the secret to increase.
Many times we whine and whimper about our lives and how little we have. We must imitate Jesus. We must learn to give thanks for the little we have. It is only in giving thanks for the little we have that miracles begin to happen. When we give thanks to God for the little, our potential for growth begins to increase and his blessing begins to abound upon our lives. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” ( Ps 100:4) Thanksgiving is what thrusts us into the presence of God. Thanksgiving is the recognition that he who has given you this little is able to give you much more.
As we seek the Lord may we never forget that he is always available to us. May we find the courage to allow him into our lives, may we always praise him and may his blessings and abundance be ours.
God bless you.
By Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
Image credit: Sweet Publishing / FreeBibleimages.org
