Matthew 14:15 – That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”   16 But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”   17 “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.

18 “Bring them here,” he said. 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. 21 About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children! (NLT)

Today’s reading picks up where last week’s ended.  Remember, Jesus had just heard of the death of his cousin John, and he had tried to get away to a remote place to be alone.  When he arrived he was met by a large crowd, and we are told that he had compassion for them, and healed their sick (Matthew 14:14).

After some time spent healing the sick, the hour was getting late.  Jesus’ disciples wanted Jesus to send the people to their homes so that they would not have a hungry crowd on their hands!  One of my favorite verses of Scripture is also one that I find tremendously challenging.  In verse sixteen Jesus says: “You feed them.”

In my years as a pastor I have often had people ask me something like, “Pastor, what can the Church do about …”  While I answer as diplomatically as possible, what I want to say is, “You do something!”  This is what Jesus tells us through this passage.  We are the ones to feed the hungry.  We are the ones to clothe the poor.  We are the ones to serve the needs of humanity.  This can certainly feel daunting, and like the disciples in this reading, we often feel inadequate for the task.  Like the disciples, however, we must offer up what we do have to Jesus.  If we have little time, we offer it to Jesus.  If we have little money, we offer it to Jesus.  If we each offer up our meager portions to Jesus, together we can reach the needs of the multitudes! 

Today, let us offer what we have to Jesus.  Let us do this knowing that Jesus will bless our efforts. 

Posted by Ramón Torres