Author: admin

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“Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21).

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Jesus has finally started his public ministry. 

For the final three years of his life – some 1,000 days – he’ll perform miracle after miracle; healing the sick, casting out demons, and forgiving those caught in sin.

I’d say his entire life and mission can be summarized in three words: 

Jesus lifts burdens.

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So must we.

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I was visiting our parish school recently, for example, and I asked students in first grade, “How has another student helped you?”

“He picked up my pencil,” one said. “She helps me spell long words,” another said. “She makes me feel better when I’m sad.”

Even in first grade, our children have their share of burdens – a dropped pencil, trouble with spelling, a bad morning at home – but they know they can look to a friend for a helping hand.

They know instinctively that they, too, can lift someone else’s burdens, just like Jesus.

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Turning to Jesus, what burden do I need lifted?

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And turning to others, how might I help lift their burdens?

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Our whole life and mission as Christians can be summarized in that way:

Like Jesus, to lift the burdens of others.

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“Jesus made the disciples get into a boat, and when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray” (Mark 6:45-46).

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This is the first time that the disciples are without Jesus. And what happens?

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Disaster strikes!

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While they’re in a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee, a major storm hits – one large enough to cause even professional fishermen to fear they’re drowning!

Meanwhile, Jesus tries passing them by – as if nothing wrong is happening. 

Still, they see him, mistaking him for a ghost.

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Was this a test?

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Perhaps.

Keep in mind, the disciples just witnessed Jesus feed five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. 

If he can perform a miracle like that, then why would they fear for their own safety? Shouldn’t they trust in him?

We’d casually say, “Of course.” And yet, “their hearts were hardened.” 

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Like the disciples, there are times in our lives when it feels like the waves are overwhelming. We’re drowning in debt; we’re drowning in grief, doubt, or sorrow.

But if Jesus has led us this far in life, then why would he abandon us now?

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“Take courage,” the Lord says. “do not be afraid. It is I.” 

Whenever life causes us to lose our balance – like fishermen staggering on a boat – we must trust that the Lord is near.

He has the power to calm the storm – and he will – but sometimes we must wait in patience. 

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“Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven,
he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people. They all ate and were satisfied.” (Mark 6:42-44)

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The multiplication of the loaves is the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels.

Why was it so memorable? 

Jesus did many other things worthy of being told. He raised Lazarus from the dead; he healed the blind, the deaf, the sick, and the lame. 

John even concludes his Gospel with the words:

“There are many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25).

Why, then, is the multiplication of the loaves so important?

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It isn’t because Jesus multiplies bread.

Rather, this miracle points towards the greatest miracle of all.

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At the Last Supper, Jesus becomes the bread. 

In his words, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it. For this is my body which will be given up for you. Do this in memory of me.” 

Then Jesus takes the bread, breaks it, and feeds his disciples with it.

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In a sense, that’s what marriage, priesthood, and friendship are all about– learning how to become like broken bread – nourishing, available to all.

Whenever we give ourselves away for the sake of another, we repeat those words of Christ: “This is my body… given up for you.”

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Imagine if all five thousand people fed by Jesus that day asked themselves that question: 

How might I offer myself for the good of another, like broken bread?

And imagine if we did the same.