Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
A recent meal with 10 strangers around a common table in the home of an Argentinean couple came to mind when I read today’s gospel reading. Jesus recognizes the significance of food, and He also understands sharing food can be a means to bring unity and blessings. Through the sharing of food and all of our gifts, the reading today reminds us that God calls us to share our gifts with all people, so God’s love will be made known to the world.
Today’s reading recounts the story of Jesus multiplying the loaves and fishes. There are several things that come to mind as I reflect on this passage. First of all, Jesus sees the needs of the people, but He asks His disciples to gather what food is available to share with the multitude. Jesus could have miraculously provided all the food needed, but He wants to draw His disciples into the blessing and the sharing. Similarly, Jesus calls us to share our gifts to be blessed and shared.
Mark recounts two separate instances where Jesus feeds the multitude. In the first account the majority of the people were Jewish, while in today’s account Jesus and His disciples are traveling through the land of the Gentiles. As I reflect on these details, this reminds me that Jesus comes to bring His blessings and gifts for all people- Jews and Gentiles alike. In the same way, Jesus wants us to be open to share our gifts with all people- not just our family, neighbor, friend at church, but the homeless man on the corner, the immigrant needing refuge, and others that God places in our path on a daily basis.
This story of the multiplication also indicates how food and meals can draw people together as one. Similar to the celebration of the Eucharist, there is enough food for everyone. In fact, there is abundance (7 extra baskets) in today’s story, so no one should leave hungry. The bread and fish that is broken and shared is similar to the love of God. There is more than enough, and everyone is invited to receive. When we give our gifts to God, God is able to multiply them, so there will be plenty for all. The challenge for us is to recognize our gifts, offer them to God, and then allow God to use them for the benefits of others. As disciples, we are called to learn from Jesus on how to give ourselves to God, while trusting that God will use our gifts. The sharing of our gifts becomes a sign of God’s love, which flows in abundance and draws others to Christ.
My recent experience sharing a meal with 10 strangers allowed me to encounter the presence of Christ. The dinner was a Christmas gift, and the evening was offered as being “a fine dining experience in Buenos Ares.” We enjoyed a multiple course meal with 10 people we did not know, as our hosts told stories about the culture and country of their birth-Argentina. Even though the meal was part of the couple’s small business here in Dayton, I found Christ in the midst of the gathering. That evening, I experienced two individuals sharing their gifts of culinary skill and hospitality. They gave their gifts in abundance bringing together people from many different backgrounds in a shared experience. Their graciousness and generosity provided an opportunity not only to bring this diverse group together, but through food, stories, and kindness they were able to help bridge cultural differences. In our current climate of division and fear of others, they provided an opportunity for us to share our different backgrounds, but find similarities and connection through participating in this communal meal. Similar to the gospel story, there were leftovers from our “feast” to enjoy for the next day’s meal. This experience made the gospel story come to life for me.
God speaks to us through scripture, prayer, sacrament and in our daily lives. Sometimes God particularly blesses us with experiences where we find ourselves recognizing God’s presence in a particular event that makes scripture seem very real. These occasions are opportunities for us to grow in our faith and gratefully give glory to God who continues to be present in our lives just as He was 2000 years ago.
Loving Father, Your Son Jesus recognizes our needs and demonstrates for us how we are called to use our gifts to care for others. With the grace of Your Spirit, give us the wisdom, courage and compassion to recognize how we can use our gifts, so others will come to experience your abundant love and presence. We pray this in and through Christ. AMEN
-Marylynn Herchline