In this reading we are told that there are five thousand men. Matthew 14:21 speaks about women and children being there too. This is a very large crowd of people that have gathered to hear Jesus, a crowd that Jesus welcomed. Evening is approaching and the disciples are concerned about the people needing food, water, ablutions and accommodation. They are concerned
about Jesus, that he needed to rest but also to spend time with them alone. The disciples are probably tired and in need of a rest too.
A modern event of this size would require organisation of food, drinks, bathrooms, seating and perhaps accommodation for those from far off places. There would be a need for a security company to take care of crowd control, to assess the situation and identify and solve any problem areas. The guest speaker would need to have privacy and be able to enter and exit
the event area without being harassed by the audience. The logistics of an event of this magnitude would have to be strictly developed and adhered to.
The disciples do what a good security company would do. They see the number of people, the time of day, the lack of provisions and facilities and make a call. The best thing to do is to send the crowd away; to protect Jesus from the masses, who by now will be getting hungry and tired and unpredictable. So, before there is a problem, they try to minimise the
potential threat and damage.
Jesus surprises them though. They have forgotten about the miracles that they have already witnessed. Surely, providing the masses with food, as Jesus did, or some sort of miracle should have been expected? If he can calm a storm, he can surely feed a crowd of people?
The contrast here between Jesus and his disciples is evident. Jesus welcomed the crowds, the disciples wanted to send them away. The disciples are tired and need a break, Jesus is happy to continue ministering. The disciples feel inadequate as they can’t feed the people, Jesus meets the needs of the crowd and feeds them physically and
spiritually.
How often do we find ourselves to be like these disciples? Too tired and spent to think about constructive ways in which to help others. Focused on our need for rest and replenishment rather than that of those needier than ourselves. Seeing the problems and not the possibilities? We often feel that we have nothing to offer or that the little we do have will not
really make a difference, not change a life or fulfil a need.
Let us remember today what Mother Teresa said: “Jesus uses us to be his love and compassion in the world in spite of our weaknesses and frailties.” We can make a difference, with the help of Jesus.
