– Mark 6:34-44
The Eucharistic overtones of this passage are clear. Jesus feeds the crowd with his teaching (Liturgy of the Word), and then with food (Liturgy of the Eucharist).
The disciples are given what seems to be an impossible task: “Give them some food yourselves.” They explain that they don’t have what is needed. Jesus then asks them to bring the little they do have. Jesus takes it, blesses it, gives it back to them . . . and it is enough. It is more than enough.
Many a time, we can look at the demands placed upon us and say, “Lord, I just can’t do it. I don’t have what is needed – the time, strength, goodness.”
At the Eucharist, Jesus invites us to bring whatever we have to him – which includes not only what is good in our lives, but also the problems, the gaps . . . we place everything on the altar (through the bread and wine). Jesus takes it, blesses it, and gives it back to us. And it is more than enough.
That’s worth some conversation with the Lord.
- Little Blue Book, January 6