Scripture Reading: Mark 6:35-44 RSV
“But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” Mark 6:37
In the television series Macgyver the main character is constantly confronted with a problem for which he doesn’t have the right resources. Yet each time he is able to discover that what he does have can be used creatively to meet the challenge. I thought of this series when I reread the story of the feeding of the 5,000. The disciples urge Jesus to send the crowd away so they can purchase some food. Jesus responds by telling them – “you give them something to eat” at which point the disciples, like Macgyver, discover that they really have more resources at their disposal than they thought for they have the power of God in their presence.
In our world today many feel helpless before the challenges facing them as minorities, as immigrants, as people of color, as ones who have lost their jobs due to technology or relocation of work overseas, etc. But as President Obama said in his final address, we have great power if we are willing to get involved and act. For people of faith, we do so rooted in the power of God at work in the world. This has been demonstrated time and again in the Civil Rights movement, the Feminist movement, the Environmental movement, and the LBGT movement to name only a few. Ordinary, common folk, can find great power to change the environment and the social order when they act with the moral values and guidance of God. As the scripture this morning reminds us, a little resource can become enough to feed the change that is needed. Our challenge is to accept that God can do great things through us if we act out our faith.
Reflections 