Thursday, February 17, 2011

Gospel of John, chapter 6:11

If you have any feel for the economy today, you know that we are in a world-wide crisis. Times are tough and budgets are tight. During times like these, we tend to look a little closer to home and to become a little tighter ourselves with what we have to share. Today’s scripture about Jesus feeding the multitude celebrates the wonderful ability to “make do;” to find enough to share even when we have little. In times like these, it is good to take a hint from today’s scripture ; to look outward, not inward; and to know that, no matter what, there is always enough to share. With only five loves and two fish, Jesus was able to share with the multitude.

Families teach us a lot about sharing. They teach us the necessity and the joy of doing so; not only out of abundance but from whatever little they have. The good news of the gospel is constantly about sharing-sharing hopes, dreams, burdens, joys, and life with one another.

Do not be afraid to share the things of life with your neighbor. That is the message of today’s scripture. That is the miracle Jesus performed when He fed the multitude. This is a good time to read, in it’s entirely, the sixth chapter of John’s gospel. John is not obtuse, but he is deep. The teaching of Jesus contained in this chapter is profound, and it makes sense to give it time to sink in.

The miracle of the feeding of the multitude was a prelude for the miracle of the Eucharist wherein Jesus continues to share Himself with us as the bread of life.

Fr. Hugh Duffy