Matthew 14:14-21

Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat."⁷ They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." (Matthew 14:16-17)

How often do we find ourselves in the disciples’ shoes? Surrounded by a world of overwhelming need, hearing the call to do something, and recognizing that we simply don’t have the resources to do much of anything, our natural reaction is indifference. This isn’t intended to be a callous response, but rather a protection mechanism designed to shield us from feelings of guilt and helplessness. Caught in this position, we tend to respond with the words, "What a shame."

The feeding of the multitudes is a miraculous story that occurs in all four gospels. But the real miracle of the story is that the disciples actually gave their five loaves and two fish to Jesus in an attempt to do something. In baptism, we’re joined to the body of Christ. Every gift we offer, no matter the size, is placed in the hands of Jesus where it is miraculously blessed, broken, and multiplied for the sake of the world. While so much of our culture seems to be pushing away from the table and distancing itself from organized religion in favor of some kind of disembodied spirituality, I find that being part of a larger community of faith connects me to God's mission in profound and powerful ways. That's the beauty of our participation in the body of Christ. Individually, our efforts are like drops of water in the ocean. But together, there is a collective impact that has power to do something. That power is the presence of the Holy Spirit working in, among and through us all.

Matthew 14:14-21 NRSV
14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.
 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves."
 16 Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat."
 17 They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish."
 18 And he said, "Bring them here to me."
 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
 20 And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.
 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.