Jesus invites us, the Body of Christ, to feed the hungry as he does.
In the familiar gospel story of the multiplication of the loaves and fish, which we will look at this week, we notice God’s great generosity in his Son, Jesus. Our hunger is not only for physical food but for all the ‘foods’ that feed us in so many different ways, love, shelter, healthcare, education, emotional care, opportunity,
spiritual growth. Jesus teaches and brings compassion and healing of physical, emotional and spiritual dis-ease.
The first gift that Jesus offers us in this gospel is the healing of the sick. Impressed by witnessing how Jesus heals, the people are drawn to him as he and the disciples go up into the hills. The people start to follow Jesus and the crowd grows. They are curious: Who is this person who heals? Let us find out more about him. His
actions match his words.
In South Africa, so much healing is needed. God has provided enough for all. God showers us with graces through Jesus in the Holy Spirit of love. How do or can my actions match what I say I believe? What is the ‘food’ that I can bring to contribute to the healing needed in our country?
How can I be Christ for the other to draw them to curiosity about or greater understanding of God? Who, in their behaviour, attitudes and perhaps even word, has increased my desire to come to know God more deeply? When have I experienced God’s healing directly or through others?
There is enough for all if we care and share. Let us, the Body of Christ, imitate Jesus in his presence, generosity, inclusiveness and love.
