Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 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: 10-11)
The story of Jesus' miraculous feeding of Five Thousand people appears in all four canonical gospels. It takes place in the city of Bethsaida in Luke, a lonely place in Matthew and Mark, and on the distant side of the Sea of Galilee in John.
Five loaves and two fishes are the source of the miracle in all four accounts. John includes a little boy. It's a miracle story for the ages even as hungry people continue to search for food, shelter, healing and a better life today.
There are days when one person after another calls needing food, economic assistance, or some other form of social welfare. I earnestly wish that I could somehow miraculously transform a little bit of food into a banquet. I can't. I suppose it's important for us to remember that many of the people that ate on that miraculous day near the Sea of Galilee were probably hungry again a few days later. Jesus' miracle didn't bring hunger and poverty to an end. Our efforts to feed and support people here in Western Cincinnati won't completely solve the problem either. Nonetheless, this is the gospel work that we are called to accomplish, often with the equivalent of just five loaves and two fishes.
The
Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes on the Northwest side of the Sea of Galilee in
Tabgha was probably first built by Christians in the 4th Century CE. The miracle of the Feeding of Five Thousand continues happening there & here every time that we as The Church feed a physically, emotionally, or spiritually hungry person.
St. James cannot solve all of the problems that people and families telephonically and physically ask us to help with each week. We can't buy enough Kroger Cards or enough diapers to tend to everyone's needs. It's frustrating quite frankly. On the other hand, we do help some people. We always feed everyone who comes to our Community Supper. It's miraculously good food too! Perhaps the relationships we are creating with our guests and one another are more miraculous.
The Feeding of the Five Thousand miracle story is as real today as it was for the four Gospel authors and their faithful communities, with or without the little boy. I don't know how Jesus did it. There might have been a whole lot of sharing going on.
I believe that we need to set aside our frustrations and act like the little boy in
Sunday's gospel.
We should also become a Christian community that's implementing more permanent solutions such as the
Ohio Benefits Bank &
Caring Connection programs. I welcome your help and participation in considering how we at St. James can continue sharing Jesus' miraculous compassion, even when it feels as if we can't.
Blessings Along The Way, Jim+
