25 July 2021 – 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B
John 6:1-15
The Miracle of Sharing
Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
Claretian Publications, Macau
The events leading to the solemn proclamation of Jesus that He is the bread of life begin with the feeding of the five thousand. We will meditate on the complete import of this discourse in the weeks to come- beyond the theological significance of this discourse, there are some practical imports of the story that should move us to contemplation and action.
Jesus was solving a hunger problem. This is a problem the world is facing, particularly with the raging of the pandemic for over a year. In the gospel of Mark, the disciples find an easy solution to the problem. Let them find their bread. This is irresponsible. Jesus knew he had to do something. From his childhood, Jesus might have been well familiar with the shortage and abundance of bread. No one would know that better than the one born in the house of bread – Bethlehem, the one who became bread himself. He had suffered hunger for 40 days, and he was so hungry that he was tempted to turn stones into bread and eat. During this pandemic, he must be closer to the hungry than anyone else can be.
What does he do in a moment shortage? His hands were empty but for Grace. It began with the bread of the little boy. The boy had more than what he could eat once! The 5 loaves and two fish symbolize the Old Testament 5 books of law, and the two fish representing the books of wisdom and prophets. Notwithstanding that interpretation, this miracle is an invitation for increased sharing. When they shared what they had, there was more than what was required. The leftover was 12 baskets full, meaning that he had enough to feed the whole of Israel. We are reminded to look at our hoardings and our wastages!
I often imagine a conversation of the little boy who offered the food with his mother. Mom, I gave the five loaves of bread and two fish that you sent with me to the master, and he was able to feed 5000 men with my little food. The mother might have replied, “of course, I sent some extra food with you so that you could share with the boys who might not have food. But, if Jesus gave that to 5000 men, you have become part, in fact, the beginner of this miracle. You, know, sharing is a miracle!” Then, the mother might have concluded with a Magnificat of her own while the boy was singing his Magnificat, “My food could grow!”
It was a child who was able to offer his little food. An adult would have thought about the stupidity of giving the little he had. He knows that it would not suffice for five people. Or even might have hidden it as a reserve for himself for fear of going hungry if he shared. Once again, there is an invitation to become like children trusting in the providence of God. There is an invitation to share in the eyes of every needy child!
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