South Sudan is a country that is starving. The World Food Program reports that five million people are surviving on less than one meal a day. Literally 75% of this country does not have enough food. What can I do as a Christian in the face of such overwhelming numbers? Am I to make them all sit down and share the small surplus I have? As Paul says, God is one over all of us and we have to take care of each other. Jesus undeniably took care of His own. However, I am not Jesus. I think I cannot do what He did. Yet….
To me the multiplication of the loaves resonates with the prayer Jesus gave us which says, “…give us this day our daily bread…” Jesus knows our needs. The basics. What we need in order to build the Kingdom of God. There are many references to food in the Bible. I also notice how much people around me talk of food. It is an essential for us. I often reflect on that person(s) who had those loaves and fish. Did they give that food up willingly? Were they upset that Jesus took their food? Did they wonder if now they will go hungry? I put myself in that person’s sandals and ask myself if I would have offered up my hard-earned sustenance not knowing if I would eat that day? What would I have done? Hide it in my clothes? Go off by myself and eat alone? Tough meditations.
I return to my question above: What am I to do about all this? Do I have 200 days wages to just throw away on a vast crowd? Can I multiply the loaves and fish? The incredible and certain answer I discovered, is a profound, ….YES! I can do this and I have done it. Simple and small is also the Will of God.
In unexpected ways I have found myself in situations where I was able to quietly help people get through some crisis in their lives. They come to me out of desperation. I hesitate. I prevaricate. I make up excuses. I vacillate. However, in reality, I am the one who can help them. I have way more than I need. I don’t give much, just a few loaves and some fish, metaphorically speaking. I give the little bits and pieces that I have.
A poor guy on food stamps at a supermarket unexpectedly realizes he can’t buy a turkey for his kids for Thanksgiving in the United States. The desperation on his face clearly shone. Inspired, I paid the checkout man. That man was unbelievably grateful. He literally bounced out of the store. His children would eat. His wife would eat. He had his dignity restored.
A widow was whimpering and sobbing while playing with her emaciated child. The child was slowly deteriorating from lack of nourishment. A small gesture and three months later that same child is lively and bright. The mother smiles for the first time since I have known her. Miracle of Miracles.
A hunched over woman, lost and looking desperate on the street. She approaches and offers me a banana from the basin she balances on her head. Inspired, I offer her a $100 bill. Shocked, she says she has no change for something so large. Then keep the change mother, help your children. Immediately she gets up, grabs her basin and smiling from ear to ear goes her way. Her hunch is gone and her face full of hope. Wonder of Wonders.
That is all it takes. Small lumps of money, but I never felt the pain. I never suffered. I had more than enough. In fact, I found other money here and there that I had forgotten about. My cup continues to overflow. These are Spirit moments.
Jesus said that if we believe we will perform miracles much greater than His. Really? Is that possible in our sinful state? I have witnessed miracles occur through my hands but I cannot take credit for that. My faith is not so great. What I can do is silently meditate on how God uses each of us to reach out and help in small and simple ways. If more and more act with mercy and compassion we will create a wonderful world.
Photo of Gabe Hurrish in South Sudan courtesy of the Maryknoll Lay Missioners.