Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

18th Sunday Ordinary Time (July 31, 2005)

Suggested Emphasis

"Give them something to eat yourselves."

Salesian Perspective

The disciples were concerned for the welfare of the crowd that had followed Jesus to a remote place. It had been a long day, evening was fast approaching and there was no place nearby for the people to get food or, for that matter, shelter. Fearful of the possible consequences, the disciples suggested to Jesus that he should send the crowd away.

On the face of it, this was a very reasonable suggestion. From a purely practical point of view, the disciples were fearful of the possible results of the people being stranded in a deserted place without provisions. All the more remarkable that instead of dismissing the crowd, Jesus said to the disciples: "Give them something to eat yourselves."

What could possibly have motivated Jesus to respond this way?

Consider the possibility that Jesus recognized a deeper level of fear in the disciples, a fear far more terrifying than the prospect of scores of men, women and children going without food or water. Perhaps the disciples were afraid that the crowd would turn to them for help…or maybe even turn against them for failing to help. Faced with this overwhelming prospect, the disciples, in effect, decided to suggest to Jesus that sending folks away would fix the problem.

To be sure, there are some situations or circumstances in our own lives - and in the lives of those we love - that seem far beyond any time, talent or treasure that we might possess. As Clinton Eastwood's "Dirty Harry" character suggests, "a man's got to know his limitations." Faced with our own limitations it is wise, indeed, to turn to Jesus in times of need.

But this scene from Matthew's Gospel challenges us to consider circumstances in which we are tempted to turn to God too quickly for answers without first considering how God may be asking us to act as instruments of life and love for others. To be sure, bringing peace to the Middle East is way beyond my singular abilities: I therefore pray to God for peace and pray for those who are working for that peace. But closer to home, how often do I expect God to feed the hungry without first considering how I might be called to offer myself as food and drink to others? How often do I ask God to heal a relationship without first making any effort on my own to be a source of healing?

How many times in my life do I immediately expect God to fix the problem without ever considering how God may be asking me to be a part of the solution?

In short, living a life of devotion - following the example of Jesus - is not about either being totally dependent on God or totally dependent upon ourselves. Life is about balance, about discernment, about accepting the situations in which when we depend on God to bring about something good, as well as recognizing the circumstances in which God depends on us to make good things happen.

Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS is Executive Director of the De Sales Spirituality Center.