CELEBRATING WHAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN

        Herod misuses his power and kills John. And, like all people who use their power to hurt, destroy or control others, the ghost returns to haunt him. Herod, now panicked by superstition, thinks that Jesus is a ghost. The world has become a dangerous place for the Beloved Son of God.

        So Jesus goes to the place which, though useless to those who seek power, is a wellspring for those who seek God. Jesus is in the desert. And while it is true that He is rejected by some, He is pursued by others. The ‘crowd’ gather. He does not push them away. His heart goes out to them. As they move toward Him, He moves toward them. Mercy kisses misery and compassion is born. He heals their bodies and their anxious minds, restoring Peace to their community. They see in His Presence, Gods’ presence and care, and they come to be bound in a covenant of love to each other and to God.

        But the setting sun brings a new hunger, and the desert has little to offer. His closest disciples think that the solution is for them to leave now and go to the markets to buy food. Why, because they think they do not have enough. Jesus asks them to bring what they already have and draws them to understand that they already have enough. Five loaves and two fish. Five plus two equals seven. A Sacred number symbolising that whatever we have is a gift from God. Now they have two choices. To look at what they have and say it is not enough or to recognise that what they have is a gift from God which hides abundance.

        When the disciples are no longer overwhelmed by the needs of these people, the desert becomes a garden. People sit on green grass. Jesus looks to heaven and gratitude fills His heart to overflowing. What is freely given is freely given away. Everyone is satisfied!

        It does seem to me that there is a powerful teaching for us here. If we always start by thinking that the need before us is too great, and we will never have enough to meet that need, nothing will ever happen. We talk ourselves into doing nothing beautiful for God. Whereas, the Beloved Son of God, moves our attention to what we already have. He asks us not to look outside ourselves for the answer but to turn our gaze within. Going and buying may work for some, but for Jesus knowing what you have is the first step in spiritual transformation. He asks us to bring what we have, He gives thanks for what we have and asks us to join Him in gratitude, then He gives the gift to those who need it, and who, in their turn give it away to others.

        This new way of living – self-awareness, gratefulness, generosity and communal love does not only satisfy the need before us, it produces an abundance – twelve baskets. So when we find ourselves in the desert, we know what to do. We either celebrate our assets and live or tell ourselves we will never have enough and die. Powerful teaching! Giving us the strength to say Yes!