We have all heard the expressions, “if we all just chip in a little,” and “many hands make for light work.” In today’s digital world, there is even 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 and the feeding of the multitude. We all know how the story ends. There is more food in the baskets at the end of the gathering than when it started.
Unfortunately, the reading does not tell us what Jesus’s sermon was about that day, but we might assume that “unconditional love” and “respect and concern for one another,” two constants in the Gospels, were probably mentioned.
Now, consider this: Imagine that after the multitude had heard the message and the baskets of loaves and fish were being passed among the people – many of whom had been wise enough to have brought some food – that some in the crowd were so moved by the sermon that in addition to taking a little out of the basket, they also put a little into the basket. Imagine, that in addition to creating an endless supply of bread and fish, Jesus taught the multitude that day that in sharing what meager food they had with others, their own needs would still be met. That may have been the second miracle of the day!
The message of generosity and giving without counting the cost is one we still hear often today. But are we willing to share what we have with the poor and needy, or do we think a “miracle” will occur, and “out of the blue” one person will appear and satisfy the needs of all? Are we willing to help fill the sacks at the food pantry when called upon or share our earnings when the basket is passed in church?
Just think what a miracle it would be if we, like the masses assembled on the hillside, put in a little bit more than we took out, gave a little bit more of ourselves than we expected in return.
Imagine a world it would be if the needs of others were as important to us as our own needs. Maybe, just maybe, the Jesuit charism of “service to others” has its roots in today’s Gospel.
Steve Scholer
I came to Creighton to attend law school in 1976 and following 5 years of private practice I started what I thought would be a 4 year job to help Fr. James Hoff, S.J. raise funds for the Campaign for Creighton. Little did I know that the many wonderful people I would soon meet, both here on campus and across the entire country, over the next few years would lead me to stay and continue to support the mission of this University. My wife is a Creighton graduate and our son, Frank, is a Xavier undergraduate and Creighton law graduate. Our daughter, Paige, has both her undergraduate and master’s degree from Creighton.
I do not participate in social media websites so posting my personal interpretation about what the readings mean to me is a novel experience for me. However, being required to put pen to paper forced me to become more reflective about what God is really trying to say to me and this has helped me in my daily prayer life - to slow down and let the Word of God dwell within me instead of racing through the daily devotions.
