I shook my head as I listened to one more news clip about a tragedy that happened earlier that morning. Normally, I try to keep a positive attitude, but sometimes the bad news of family, friends, and the larger world can be really heavy.
I can imagine that Jesus felt something similar when He looked out at “the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute and many others” (Matthew 15:30). Jesus’s heart was “moved with pity for the crowd,” but He didn’t just snap His fingers and make it all better. Instead, He looked to the Apostles to see what they had available—a meager amount of food for such a vast crowd—and yet, He took that little bit and multiplied it.
In the same way, I imagine Jesus looking with pity on the souls in pain around me and instead of automatically making it better, He looks to me.
Admittedly, in turn, I ask Him, “Why are you looking at me? What can I possibly do?” But the more I surrender my feelings of helplessness to Him, the more He inspires my heart to take small steps towards bringing comfort, strength, and love to those around me. He gives me the grace to make an extra Holy Hour or inspires me to do something kind for a friend-in-need or to not be afraid to give her a hug and let her talk, even if I don’t know exactly what to say.
These meager offerings I have to give will be blessed and multiplied to help those placed along my path. In the grand scheme of things, you and I may be small, but when we are in the hands of Jesus, He can make wondrous things happen.
To read more about the Biblical context for loaves and fishes, read this priest's article.
Bobbi Rol is a wife, mama and blogger living on the Monterey Bay in CA with her husband, teen daughter, and three rambunctious boys. When she is not dodging light sabers or stepping on Legos, she can be found outside with her family, catching a late night movie, or decorating her planner. You can find out more about her here.
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