A man came from Baal-shalishah bringing to Elisha, the man of God, twenty barley loaves made from the firstfruits, and fresh grain in the ear. Elisha said, “Give it to the people to eat.” But his servant objected, “How can I set this before a hundred people?” Elisha insisted, “Give it to the people to eat.” “For thus says the LORD, 'They shall eat and there shall be some left over.’” And when they had eaten, there was some left over, as the LORD had said.
R. (cf. 16) The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs. Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD, and let your faithful ones bless you. Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might. R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs. The eyes of all look hopefully to you, and you give them their food in due season; you open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs. The LORD is just in all his ways and holy in all his works. The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
Brothers and sisters: I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.
If I Were First in Line
I’ve always puzzled over one thing in the story of the multiplication of the loaves and fish: what if I were the first in line? For how much would I ask?
If I were at the top of the hillside near to Jesus, I would have sensed the commotion. Five loaves and two fish? That’s it? From Philip and Andrew’s worried and puzzled looks, I’d know there was a problem. I also would have seen the multitude massing behind me. If I knew that Jesus intended to feed the entire crowd, I’d be feeling anxious. I’d know – or at least I’d think I know – someone will be left hungry.
He couldn’t offer me as much as I want – I mean, what if I greedily asked for all the food? So should I take as much as I need? But suppose I had been following the Lord all day, witnessing his works among the sick and listening to his words? I’d certainly be hungry – famished, even. I’d need a lot just to regain my strength. Whatever I do, I’d probably take too much.
But Jesus, to my utter shock, does not break off a minuscule morsel of bread and a string of fish and ask me to tough it out. He does not even tell me exactly what I need to survive like a divine dietician. He asks me how much I want: “Then Jesus . . . distributed . . . as much of the fish as they wanted.” It doesn’t make sense at first glance, but this is the way Jesus operates. After all, elsewhere he says, “Whatever you ask the Father for in my name, I will do.” So do we have divine carte blanche? Could I ask Jesus for anything and everything? How does this work?
Jesus confidently offers us what we want because, confronted with the loving face of the Savior, our desire is transformed. Of course I act freely, but I look into the eyes of he who heals the sick, forgives sinners, and desires that all should have life eternal – he who loves me more than anyone – and I am moved to ask for what I need only so I may love him more. I imagine looking into the eyes of someone I truly love and who loves me – how could I be greedy? If I love that person, how could I reject their love? How could I not help but believe in that person?
Today, and every day, Christ offers not bread and fish but grace and the strength to live a life of Christian discipleship – the life St. Paul describes in our second reading. Christ looks at me, and all of us, with love beyond all telling and says, “What do you desire? I will give it to you.” I know I must seek to love God – and then, in a spirit of true and mutual love, confidently ask for what I truly want.
Steve Chanderbhan, Graduate Student Saint Louis University
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