Last Sunday’s Gospel focused on the iconic story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people from 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. This is a great story but how does it translate into the now?

In my time ministering to youth, the story of Jesus multiplying food that was to be the lunch of a little boy, is probably the one that garners the most amazement and disbelief (Adults tend to like the story of Jesus turning water into wine). To be honest, it’s easy to see why.
It’s a very visual story. Crowd of 5,000, each needing to be fed, 5 loaves and 2 fish are multiplied and manage to fill each of those people up!
How did it happen?
What does it look like?
These type of questions tend to pop up in relation to the story and that’s where the disbelief happens. How can one man feed so many people?
The thing we have to look at as well in relation to this story is that JESUS IS STILL FEEDING PEOPLE. In fact, Jesus feeds much more than 5,000, he feeds the whole world!

Christ tells us that by eating and drinking at his table, we will never hunger or thirst again. Jesus to this day offers us much more than sustenance to survive, he offers sustenance for the soul, sustenance to LIVE.
Jesus doesn’t call us to survive, but to live. The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 is a source of inspiration for us, of a literal time Jesus fed people, to remind us that he is still feeding us spiritually.
What we do with that gift is up to us and Jesus gives us insight to what we should do at the end of the story “Pick up the pieces left over, so that nothing gets wasted!” Any piece left over can not be wasted but need to be shared with those around us who struggle to see the joy and hope that Jesus offers. Jesus calls us to share hope, joy and love with all around us, but particularly to be his hands where they can often struggle to manifest themselves without out help.

So don’t be scared! Share the joy of your life with others! Feed others just as Jesus did and continues to do to this day. Make known the glory of heaven here on earth where it cannot be seen without your help!