Jesus appreciates every kind of generosity. Notwithstanding the quantity or value, the Lord makes use of every offering we willingly give. This weekend, the great miracle of the multiplication of the loaves would never have taken place if a young boy did not volunteer to share his 5 barley loaves and some dried fish. Jesus took this humble offering and transformed these offerings into a banquet for 5,000 people. I try to imagine how surprised Jesus must have been that a boy, not an adult, was the presenter of gifts. I try, too, imagine how Jesus must have been warmly touched by gesture in answer to a great need. With the blessing of the Lord, both the boy and his gifts became instruments of a miracle.

The miracle as we know is not only about food, satiating hunger and sharing. The miracle speaks of the greater miracle of the Eucharist where Jesus gathers His people together to provide them with nourishment for their salvation. And at every Mass, we come also to offer something to the Lord. Such is the movement we see and are part of within Mass: receiving from the Lord, and giving back to the Lord.

What have you to offer today to the Lord? What have you to offer to your spiritual family? Some people think that in order to be able to offer, the gift must be astoundingly big. Some think only the rich possess things to share. This is clearly not the case. Miracles happen when small people, simple people, ordinary people bring in love what they willingly choose to share.

When you share at Mass or in any venture of the church, remember the boy whose gifts became instruments of a miracle. Remember that with your help, Jesus will do the same today and every single day. God used the open hands of the boy to shower His goodness to the world. For God’s hands, too, are always open, giving and sharing, breaking and distributing, blessing and healing. God delights in open hands.

The Lord Jesus reminds us that the secret to abundance is learning how to share our blessings with others. Whenever we share, even the little and most insignificant offering, we make it possible for God to work His miracle of supplying the needs of others. We become part of a miracle, not mere spectators or recipients. We become its agents, too, in the hands of God.

Sono semipro grate,
Father Erick

(For 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time)