Reflection for July 28, 2024

Jesus' abundance is alive in our everyday acts 

by Sister Francis Bangert

The worst nightmare for any chef or food planner is to not have prepared enough food to feed a larger than expected crowd. How is one to feed 5,000 people with just five barley loaves and two fish, the disciples ask? How does the impossible become possible? Jesus responds not only by words (“feed them yourselves”) but by example. Standing before the crowd, Jesus reveals Himself as the Bread of Life broken and shared.

When He poses the question: "where can we buy enough food for the crowd to eat” it is a test, for He knew He would give Himself totally as food for the human journey. And as He gave Himself without reserve, so is the crowd invited to become food for others through their gracious sharing. The impossible becomes possible.

I have had two experiences these past weeks of how the simple act of sharing one’s self is the loaves and fishes story in practice.

1. St. Willebrord Church Building Restoration Project. A leaking roof, fissures in the ceiling, pew damage and other necessary projects resulted in an overwhelming $800,000 renovation project. Worshippers were encouraged to be creative in raising money, through bake and food sales, raffles and many second collections. In less than two years all but $36,000 remains. Worshippers re-gather joyfully in a newly restored church, and the former worship space in the Parish Center reverts to the Parish Center. (Source: July 7, 2024, Parish Bulletin)
2. Foster the Village is a tax-exempt organization that supports children from birth to 18 years old in Brown County who have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care due to abuse and/or neglect. It provides free basic needs to children and their foster families. One need, one idea and hundreds of individual and organizational donors later, Foster the Village has evolved into the undreamed lease of the former St. Jude Catholic School building at 1440 Division St. (Source:  Cheri Salmon Executive Director)

Reflect on your present experiences. Where have you witnessed and/or participated in the loaves and fishes story? When were you bread, broken and shared? Don’t underestimate the power of little. It can yield abundance beyond measure like "12 wicker baskets of leftovers."