“So the people reclined on the grass, about five
thousand in number. Then Jesus took the five barley loaves and the two fish,
gave thanks and distributed them to those who were reclining . . . [and] they
had their fill.”
John 6: 1-15
Miracles
aren’t always what we expect them to be. Miracles are happening every day all
around us; miracles are happening every day within us.
Jesus was
filled with unconditional love. While he walked the hills and shores of Galilee,
he called those around him to acts of love and selflessness. He brought out the
best in others just by being in his presence.
In the
above gospel, Jesus works a wonderful miracle. But what was that miracle? Was
it an act of magic that awed the crowd and defied the laws of physical nature?
Or was it an act of collective love that defied the laws of human nature?
Was the
real miracle in this story not the reproduction of five barley loaves and two
small fish, but Jesus’ ability to get the people in the crowd to share what
little food they had; and the discovery that once they opened their hearts and
their lunch baskets, there was more than enough food for everyone? Knowing what
we do about human nature, the second possibility seems the greater miracle.
We all
come into the world with the basic human tendency to be self-centered; to put
our own wants and needs before the love of God and the needs of others. It’s
human nature; we might think of it as a kind of original sin.
But while
we all possess this basic human tendency to be self-centered, there is a light
that shines within our soul. That light is the presence of Christ within us.
And the
Christ within calls each of us forth like Lazarus from the tomb, to emerge from
the prison of self-centeredness with acts of service and heroic love for our
sisters and brothers. Each time we answer ‘yes’ to this call, a miracle
happens.
I have
witnessed many miracles in my life. I have seen children and adults from our
parish carry food and clothing into Central Park on freezing winter mornings to
comfort the homeless.
I have
seen a frail young homeless woman, shivering in the snow, hand back a blanket
and tell us about a man sleeping in a cardboard box on the next street who was
sick and needed it more.
I have
seen our young people spend their weekends cleaning and painting a shelter for
unwed mothers in the Bronx,
I have
seen successful executives share their struggles with addiction and mental
illness to help encourage others locked in similar struggles.
I have
seen victims of violence and racism reach out with unconditional love and
forgiveness.
These are
the kinds of miracles that Jesus brings about each day; not spectacular events
that defy the laws of nature, but acts of love that defy the laws of
self-interest.
Miracles
aren’t always what we expect them to be. Miracles are happening every day all
around us; miracles are happening every day within us.
My sisters
and brothers, let us go forth today to live the gospel and to be miracle
workers for our own little corner of the world.
………………………………………………………………………………..
Readers of this blog might enjoy these
books by Deacon Lex. Both are available on Amazon.com:
Just to Follow My Friend:
Experiencing God’s Presence in Everyday Life
Synchronicity as the Work of
the Holy Spirit: Jungian Insights for Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Ministry
http://www.amazon.com/Synchronicity-Work-Holy-Spirit-Spiritual/dp/1463518781/
