Reflection From Father John
July 28, 2024
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Can you think of a time when you were most in need? Whether the need was physical, emotional or spiritual, we have all experienced a time, in our jobs or in our family life, when we didn’t have enough of a particular good that we desired.
What we had at the time was not sufficient for the task at hand. This is the situation in which the disciples found themselves in the Gospel for this coming weekend. They found themselves in great need. There was no way that they would be able to provide food for the large number of people who were with them. It was impossible.
Jesus tests Phillip and says, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” (Jn 6:5) Phillip replies, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” (Jn 6:7) Jesus knew that the disciples wouldn’t be able to supply for the needs of the large crowds. He wasn’t expecting his disciples to be able to provide that much food. Jesus knew that no human power could supply for the needs of so many people. However, He asked Phillip that question to test his faith and prepare his disciples for the miracle He was about to perform.
Just like the disciples in this week’s Gospel, none of us are fully self-sufficient, and we can never fully provide for all of our needs, let alone for the needs of others. This is most evident in times of distress, when things don’t go according to plan. This was most evident this past week when, as a result of a software malfunction, airports and hospitals around the world were not able to function properly. Episodes such as this, show us that we are not in control and are not as strong as we believe. We are all in need of God. This is the reality of being human. Oftentimes, it is only in recognizing our helplessness that we turn to God. When we find ourselves in need, it is not a cause for distress or anxiety but rather an opportunity for us to be open and bring our prayer before God. It is God who makes the impossible possible. It is only Jesus who can supply our needs and the needs of countless others. If we rely on our own power, we will never be able to witness the miracles that God desires to perform in our lives.
In recognizing their inability to care for the crowd, the disciples turned to Jesus. They didn’t try to feed the crowds themselves. Instead, they gave Jesus all they had, and Jesus performed the miracle. Even with the small offering of five loaves and two fish provided by a small boy, Jesus was able to feed the five thousand and have an abundance left over. The Gospel writer mentions, “...they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves…” (John 6:13) If God can perform such a great miracle with so little, imagine what He can do with the little that we have, if we only turn to Him, and offer Him our hearts. He will not only provide for our needs and the needs of others, but will provide in abundance.