The Good News

In the first reading from 2 Kings. “A man…bringing to Elisha, the man of God, twenty barley loaves from the first fruits…” In the culture of the day, “first fruits were offerings of gratitude presented to God.” Elisha said, “Give it (the bread) to the people to eat… his servant objected…” How could this be enough to feed a hundred people? Elisha insists and quotes the Lord, “They shall eat and there shall be some left over.”  Under his breath I imagine the servant saying, “OK, if you say so.” The people ate and there were leftovers.

In the second reading to the Ephesians, Paul urges oneness in the Lord. “…through the bond of peace one body, one Spirit…one hope, one faith…”

In today’s gospel from John, we hear of another feeding. “A large crowd was following him (Jesus), …” They were following a kind, generous, gentle man who feeds the poor, cures the lame and heals the broken-hearted. A man who eats with women, foreigners and immigrants. Yet, a strong man who speaks the truth and stands up for those who cannot defend themselves. After much walking, the crowd is hungry for something to eat. But there is another sort of hunger which they cannot name. A hunger satisfied when they are with Jesus.  Just being near Jesus seems to satisfy an inner desire. So they follow him.

“Jesus saw a large crowd coming to him, he said to Philip, Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” “Philip answered, two hundred days wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.”

What is going on between Elisha, speaking almost verbatim Jesus’ words, and the servant? What is happening between Jesus and Philip?  Both the servant and Philip are trying to solve the practical problem of feeding a large crowd with not nearly enough food and not enough money. Both Philip and the servant could not fathom how it could be done.  Like Elisha, Jesus insisted – the crowd was fed with much left over. 

This has happened to me on more than one occasion.  I get stuck in my head trying to figure out the logistics of Jesus’ invitation, whatever it is. When I move from my head to my heart, I open up to Jesus. This is not a head calculation; this is a matter for the heart. This is a matter of faith, of being in a trusting, open relationship with Jesus. In my heart I can more readily receive Jesus, not try to cram Jesus into my brain. As if there will come a time when I will be able to unravel the mystery of God.  That is a hope and prayer unworthy of us. It will never happen. We can hope for and trust in his mercy and love.
Jesus never said your title has saved you. Jesus says over and over again, “your faith has saved you”.  “Do not be afraid.” “Trust me, follow me, love each other as I have loved you.” “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.”  Jesus was teaching Philip that he could never feed the crowds or anything else outside of their oneness.  Their relationship, as ours, must be based on faith, hope, trust, generosity and above all else Love of God.

The Best News….
I don’t have to figure it out!