JESUS FEEDS THE CROWD

Mark8:1-10

The Gospel today speaks about the multiplication of the loaves. In this part of Mark’s gospel, we have a lot of eating. We have the story of Herod’s banquet which ended with the beheading of John the Baptist, the first multiplication of the loaves; we have the scene where Jesus declares that all food is pure, we have the reaction of the Syrophoenician woman who tells Jesus that even dogs eat the crumbs which fall from the table of the children. And here, in today’s Gospel, Mark speaks about the second multiplication of the loaves.

Mark begins this passage on a note of compassion. Jesus said: “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd because they have no food.” And the reaction of the disciples is very human. How can we get enough bread in this deserted place to feed such a crowd? Off course this is not possible. They only have seven loaves and few fish. What is this for such a crowd? But Jesus asks for what the disciples have.

Let us look at this action. Giving their food, seven loaves and few fish, to 4000 people was a very risky move. With such a crowd, they might lose everything, they might not get even a scrap for themselves. It is risky, it is a sacrifice. The question is why did Jesus need these loaves and fish? He could simply ask his Father to send rain of bread and fish from heaven. Why did he ask for what the disciples have? Was it necessary for him to use those loaves and fish feed the crowd? And that is where I found a message for us this morning. Jesus’ method is to involve men and women in his mission. The message here is that to make our poverty an overabundance, we should bring it to Jesus. Our God does not start from nothing. He has made us worthy to be part of his work of creation, and he wants our little contribution.

But most of times in our Christian life we are very hesitant to cooperate with God. We think we are not worthy, or we are weak, or we have nothing that God can use. We wait for God to do everything for us and we forget that his is waiting for our seven loaves and few fish. Yes, each one of us here has the seven loaves and few fish that God needs to perform the miracle in our society today. The important question for us is this: What are my seven loaves and few fish that I need to offer to God for him to multiply and feed millions of hungry people in the world? How can I contribute to the work of God in the Church and in the society?