Satisfied

By Lisa Greey —

When was the last time you were really, really hungry and you couldn’t find something to eat?  I would think that this might be fairly rare.  Often we can find something to eat, although it may not be what we want to eat!  You know those times when you go the fridge, don’t see anything you like, close the fridge – then repeat until you compromise with yourself about eating a piece of fruit or pb and j.  Today’s Gospel features one very hungry crowd, and very little food to go around.

Jesus tests Phillips faith and trust by asking him, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”  Jesus is not thinking about Cosco or Super Walmart – although even those may not have enough food for 5,000 people!  However, Philip is thinking in secular terms: “Two hundred days?’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.”  Then Jesus takes the five loaves and two fish and offers a prayer to God the Father.  Next thing you know, everyone is fed and there are 12 baskets leftover!  Phillip, and the other disciples, must have experienced an increase in faith after witnessing such a miracle.

How does this apply to our lives?  Well, in our own ways, we look at the challenging situations in our lives and say “It cannot be done – I can’t pass this exam, I can’t get on the soccer team, I can’t be friends with Sam because she drives me crazy, I will never catch a break etc.”  When we say these types of things we are looking only with human eyes.  We are looking only at our own belly buttons and seeing a lack of resources to accomplish what we want.  However, with eyes of faith we can look at the lack and see a space where God can step in and assist us.  He can give us the grace to love that friend.  He can give us the extra energy to compete hard.  He can help us remember all that we studied.  May we have eyes of faith to look on every situation – be in 5,000 people who need food or surviving another day at our summer job – with the eyes of faith!