Miracle of Sharing or True Miracle?

This miracle is described in all four Gospels, which highlights its importance to the early Church and believers.  There is a modern thought that this was a “miracle of sharing” – that Jesus just encouraged people to share what they had.  This thought, however, is not supported in the Gospels themselves.  This was an impromptu crowd.  They were following Jesus because He was healing the sick. This was not an event where people were bringing food. Philip had said,  “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” Jesus fed them, multiplying the loves and fishes Himself to the whole crowd.  This was a true miracle of God.  They were so amazed, that they wanted to carry Him off and make Him a King!  A simple sharing would not be so great an event the crowd would rebel to replace their king.

 

When Our Effort Seems Small

  How often do we feel our own efforts are too meager?  A great teaching in this Gospel is how one act of kindness can multiply to others.  The boy’s willingness to share his own food is the true sharing in this Gospel, where his kindness here is multiplied by Jesus. In turn, Jesus’s own kindness is shown here in making sure all the people were fed. In our daily lives, a kind word of encouragement or a small act of charity can be multiplied by the Holy Spirit if we allow it.

 

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Our elderly family, friends and parishioners can offer us a wealth of wisdom only gained from their lives well lived.  Take July 28 as a day to stop and tell them you appreciate them.  A text, phone call or visit can alleviate the loneliness and isolation they often feel.