FROM THE DESK OF FR. FRANCIS KALAW, PAROCHIAL VICAR........
This Sunday the gospel tells us the miracle of the multiplication of bread and the feeding of thousands of people that teaches us the truth about Jesus’s merciful and compassionate heart. Jesus, as always, was moved with pity at the sight of the crowd for they were like sheep without a shepherd. The crowd was following and listening to Jesus in a deserted place. Jesus reminds his disciples that concern for others should always be followed and supported with life changing actions.
“Give them some food yourselves.” Jesus responds to his disciples. However, what can they do with only five loaves and two fish to feed a crowd of “five thousand men, not counting women and children?” The truth the disciples seem to forget is that nothing is impossible for God. It does not matter how much they have. With trust in the Lord and his endless love they can make a difference.
Jesus invites us to give the little we have with loving hearts and He will take care of the rest. A loving heart is a giving heart. In addition, what matters is not how much we give to make a difference but how much loving is the heart that gives.
The disciples thought that even all they had would not be enough for them and the crowd, but Jesus reverses the boat. There is no greater love than giving one’s life for the sake of others. This love, I shall insist, is not always translated through material donation. The little we have to share with others could be just a loving smile that enlightens someone’s life or a warm greeting that strengthens and lifts up a hopeless person and so on. This is because Jesus who feeds us in the Eucharist as we gather around Him in this deserted place, gathers us together as one family aimed at supporting and embracing one another. He feeds us to enable us to feed others in return. As we leave the church after Mass this weekend, let us continue to carry the love of Jesus we just shared in the Holy Communion and let us continue to pray for one another and for our parish family. May God bless you all!