The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ - Cycle C

“All ate and were filled.” (Luke 9:17)

Imagine this: Jesus has preached all day to at least five thousand men about the Kingdom of God and healed many. He shows no signs of tiring. Yet the disciples notice a need–for the crowd and perhaps themselves–to get one of the most basic human necessities: food.

Not knowing what else to do, the disciples approach Jesus and ask him to send the crowd away, so everyone can eat. When Jesus turns to them and says, “You give them something to eat” (Luke 9:13), the disciples are driven to frustration, attempting to offer other lackluster solutions based on their limited resources. They could ask Jesus to do anything, but they do not have the imagination to work beyond their own means.

So Jesus steps in. When He tells them to make people sit in groups of fifty, the disciples’ eyes light up with anticipation. Now that Jesus has given them direction, they feel a sense of renewed energy. They freely offer the small portion of fish and loaves they had for themselves, and, simply by following Jesus’ guidance, all are filled.

Sometimes we are like the disciples: While trying to do good for ourselves and others, we get distracted by reconciling only what we can see. Yet if we, like the disciples, are willing to give up what little we hold in our hands, and let Jesus multiply it, we will find that what we are left with is more than enough. This kind of sacrifice takes trust, not in ourselves, but in a God who will transform meagerness into abundance in a truly unexpected way.

At the beginning of their situation, although the disciples see a need, they don’t fully see Jesus’ purpose. He is not done with the crowd, which is why none of the disciples’ solutions hit the mark. In light of the people’s hunger, He demonstrates his power and care for them. 

In what ways do we offer our own solutions to the Lord, not fully comprehending what He is already trying to do in our lives? And in what ways can we offer what we have, trusting and believing He will take it and multiply it for the good of all?