Do Something!

The “Feeding of the 5,000” is certainly one of the most familiar miracles of Jesus’ ministry.  It is dramatic, we can all imagine what an amazing experience it must have been, and it brings us the promise that our needs will be met.

Yet, the reality is that people still starve to death.  Then, and today still.  No doubt, there were many other hungry people in the surrounding countryside.  And the 5,000 would be hungry again. 

I haven’t researched it carefully, but I understand that across the globe we actually produce adequate food to feed everyone on the planet, but we just don’t get it there.  Here in America, consider how much food is wasted every day.

I remember a cartoon that showed a person pleading with God, “Why do you let people starve?  Why aren’t you feeding them?” To which God replies, “Funny you should ask.  I was about to ask you the same question.”

Notice that Jesus did not address the economic systems that left some without enough food.  Instead, he just asked the disciples to take some responsibility and step up.  Do something.  What he asked of them was not dramatic.  But they did have to look beyond their sight, which told them that fives loaves and two fish would not be enough.  They were asked to do something and trust that God would make it enough.

Neither you, nor I, nor St. John’s will solve the problem of world hunger.  But we can each do something.  We can each make a difference.  That’s where it begins.  What can you do?

This column appeared in the August 2, 2020 edition of St. John’s eNews. Click here for the complete issue.

If you are reading this at a different time, you may click here for the current eNews.