Call it the luck of the draw, but I was previously asked to reflect on today’s readings. I reviewed my prior reflection and thought it might be worth repeating, in part.

We have all heard the expressions, “if we all just chip in a little,” or “many hands make for light work.” In today’s digital world there is a name for this – “crowd funding” – in which the entire world can contribute a dollar or two to help fund a worthy project or help a needy family pay for medical or funeral expenses.

With this thought in mind, think about today’s reading from Matthew, in which Jesus says, "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way."

We all know how the story ends. There is more food in the baskets than when they started. But how was that possible? Was the multiplying of the fish and loaves of bread a miracle of the magnitude of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead? Or, was the real miracle the impact of Jesus’ message on the multitude?

Unfortunately, Matthew does not tell us what Jesus’ sermon was about, but I believe one would be safe in assuming that “love” and “respect and concern for each other,” two constants in the Gospels, were mentioned more than once by Jesus, and may well have been the theme of his talk.

Now, consider this. After the multitude heard such a message, just imagine that when the baskets of loaves and fish were passed, those who were wise enough to have brought some food were so moved by the message of Jesus that they decided that in addition to taking a little out of the basket, they would also put a little bit more back in, so those less fortunate could have something to eat.

If true, what a miracle indeed! For rather than Jesus creating an endless supply of bread and fish, he taught the assembled multitude to love and have faith in their fellow man and convinced them that even if they shared what meager food they had,, their own needs would still be met. And indeed, it came to pass, as there was more food in the baskets in the end than before they were passed through the crowd.

The viral pandemic sweeping the world has changed our behaviors, some for the good and some for the not so good. Maybe we are using our extra time at home to be more prayerful and learning to appreciate the simpler things in life. But what about our willingness to continue to share with others in need? Have we asked our housebound neighbors if they need anything (heaven forbid they are down to their last roll), and save them a trip to the grocery store? What about supporting our church? Has not being able to attend services relieved us of the need to make gifts? Or the homeless. The needs of this community have skyrocketed, but are we no longer willing to “take the appropriate precautions” and volunteer to help serve meals at the shelter? 

During this extraordinary time in which we are living, let us practice being extraordinary Christians and give of our time, talent and treasure without counting the costs.