OUR SPIRITUAL NEED
Jesus makes a claim only God can make: He is the true bread
of heaven that can satisfy the deepest hunger we experience.
A great multitude had
gathered to hear Jesus, no doubt because they were hungry for the word of life.
Jesus' disciples wanted to send them away at the end of the day because they
did not have the resources to feed them. They even complained how much money it
would take to feed such a crowd -- at least six month's wages! Jesus, the Bread
of Life, took the little they had, five loaves and two fish, and giving thanks
to His heavenly Father, distributed to all until their hunger was satisfied.
Ultimately the action
of Jesus is indeed one of compassion, but His concern goes beyond physical
need. Understanding our spiritual need and overflowing with love, Jesus uses
His divine power to give us the gift of the Eucharist. Jesus makes a claim only
God can make: He is the true bread of heaven that can satisfy the deepest
hunger we experience. The feeding of the five thousand shows the remarkable
generosity of God and His great kindness towards us. When God gives, He gives
abundantly. He gives more than we need for ourselves that we may have something
to share with others, especially those who lack what they need. God takes the
little we have and multiplies it for the good of others.
Do we trust in God's
provision for us and do we share freely with others, especially those who lack?
I couldn't help but
think of one special sister who did have trust in God for provisions that she
needed in her ministry: Mother Teresa. At the time of her death, Mother Teresa
had opened over 600 houses in 125 countries for the service of the poor. She
and her sisters now provide shelter to countless homeless, abandoned children,
alcoholics, lepers and AIDS patients in every part of the world. The
"Missionaries of Charity," as they are called, imitate in a unique
way the compassion and love that Jesus had for the sick, the hungry and the
poor. When Jesus encounters the vast crowds that follow Him, He perceives their
spiritual and physical hunger. Then He feeds them, first with the humble foods
of bread and fish, and then with the spiritual food of His own teachings.
Jesus' gift of Himself continues in our own day in the Eucharistic table and in
the Scripture of His word and sacrament in order to become His presence in the
world. My friends, we are the ones toward whom He has shown the greatest love
and compassion.
In our responsorial
psalm we acclaim, "The Lord is my light and salvation, He is our life's
refuge" (Ps 27 1,4). Nourish us, Lord Jesus, with Your word and sacrament
so that we may reveal Your love to those around us always! Amen.