Five Loaves, Two Fish

In yesterday's Gospel(Matthew 14:13-21), the disciples suggested that Jesus send the large crowd away to buy themselves some food. Jesus replied, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish."

The part of their reply that resounds to me is, "We have nothing..." In the face of such a large need, their few resources seemed so small that the disciples counted them as nothing. Their intent, which I think is clear from their suggestion to our Lord, was to send the folks away, then use what little they had to provide a meager meal for themselves. This is the attitude of scarcity. I remember a children's TV program from years ago, with dancing puppet figures singing, "Won't do a little 'cause you can't do a lot." Scarcity rules.

So the question comes out like this. "What is my tiny offering against the huge needs that surround me? I can hardly afford gas to get to work, and oil is going to be outrageous this winter, how can I help so many with so many needs when I have so little?"

Jesus's actions are taken from an attitude of abundance. He blesses the disciple's tiny offering and it is not only enough but more than enough--12 baskets full over the top! Abundance trumps scarcity.

A can of soup, a bag of rice, a tin of meat, some coffee or powdered milk or peanut butter--these things make tiny offerings aginst the hunger that surrounds us. A backpack, a pair of socks, or a wool stocking cap make a tiny offering against the needs for school supplies or clothing for winter that surround us. But when we all pitch in and let the Lord bless our little offerings, somehow they become enough.

I couldn't help but notice, that instead of getting by on a tiny meal, the disciples shared in an abundant feast. The tiny gifts they counted as nothing, but gave to the Lord anyway, blessed them also.

Abundance trumps scarcity. Five loaves and two fish are more than enough in God's hands.


Mike+