FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY!

"Then Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted" (John 6.11).

In this period of international economic uncertainty it is refreshing to remember that God still takes care of His own. Many in our country and around the world are concerned about the future financial stability of the world’s economy and are fearful of the future. Stories abound with how the economic downturn is affecting individuals and their families, and it is not a pleasant thing. In our own country many are fearful of the future and what is likely to happen to them if this trend continues. We are constantly being warned by the so-called experts that things will probably get worse before they get better, and that is no consolation to those who are fearful of losing their jobs.

But those who believe and trust in God are less fearful for they have a guarantee that God will take care of His own. The miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand in today’s Gospel gives us that assurance. This miracle brings us into the very heart of Christianity. The Feeding of the Five Thousand appears in all four Gospels, which speaks to its central importance, and therefore it must not be taken lightly. Next to the crucifixion and resurrection, this miracle has a central impact on the New Testament. The message is loud and clear: God feeds the hungry. All we have to do is to have faith and trust Him to do so. 

It is difficult to tell people who are facing unemployment to have faith. Yet faith is what is required. Sometimes when we tell people who just lost their jobs to have faith, it sounds just like mere words. But that must be the message of Christians. In the midst of uncertainty and fear, faith is Required. The disciples were fearful because they did not know how they would feed all those people who followed Jesus to hear one more stirring sermon or to witness one more miracle. But in faith Jesus comes to the rescue. His miracle of feeding so many people that day gives us the assurance that He is still in the feeding business. Every time we offer a meal in the soup kitchen of this church, (and in the soup kitchens of many churches in our community), we are doing, in part, what Jesus did and calls us to do. Whenever we clothe the naked or give relief to the poor, we are doing what Jesus commands. When we reach out to feed each other, we ourselves are fed. When we allow ourselves to be fed, we are equipped to feed others.

Of course the Feeding of the Five Thousand had a much more profound theological meaning: it was a foreshadowing of the Eucharist in which Jesus feeds all humankind with His Body and Blood. As we journey through Lent and draw near to Holy Week, and in particular to Maundy Thursday when we recall the institution of the Eucharist, we recall the amazing grace of God in feeding His people with the holy mysteries of His Body and Blood, and we pray that we may be so filled with Him that we are energized to feed the many who need us in our world today. So many are broken and wounded and need the touch of the Master. He has called us to be His hands and feet in the world today, and His Body and Blood will give us the energy and courage we need to do that.

Are you in the feeding business? Do you reach out to those who need you the most? My prayer is that this Lent you will be strengthened by these holy mysteries.