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There’s an old Native American tale about two wolves, which they believe are living inside all of us.

Unfortunately, they’re at war with one another, vying for our time and attention.

One wolf feeds on negativity; things like anger, lust, jealousy, gluttony, and pride.

While the other feeds on positivity; things like love, compassion, generosity, kindness, and faith.

The question is, “Which wolf wins?”

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The one we feed.

Which wolf am I feeding?

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We can summarize much of Jesus’ teachings into this idea; feed the good wolf within.

As he says in the Gospel, “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life.”

Feeding that good wolf within leads to lasting happiness, and ultimately, eternal life.

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During this Coronavirus pandemic, it’s become much harder to feed that good wolf. 

We’re all stressed, bored, cooped up, and somehow exhausted.

It’s all too easy to become angry, selfish, and lazy in times like this; it’s easy to feed that negative wolf within.

The Lord invites us to do the opposite; to feast on patience, kindness, and faith. If we do, then we’ll come out of this crisis healthier, happier people. 

But the choice is ours.

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Which wolf will you feed?

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In the Gospel, Jesus promises to give us the power to speak new languages. But out of every language on this planet, which one is the most important?

After all, there is one language we all must speak.

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The language of love.

Love is what drives out the demon of hatred; the demons of pride and prejudice; the demons of jealousy, envy and greed. 

As it’s written elsewhere, “Love covers a multitude of sins.”

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Fortunately, there’s more than one way to speak this language of love. Some say there are five primary ways.

We express love through words of affirmation; through acts of service; by offering gifts; by spending quality time with others; and through physical touch.

So how do I speak this language of love?

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Maybe I prepare a home cooked meal for my family each night; an act of service. 

Maybe I insist on telling my family I love them before ending a phone call; words of affirmation.

Maybe I show my love by offering a hug; physical touch.

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There is one language we all must speak, the language of love. However you say it, make sure you say it today.

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One of my favorite hobbies used to be cooking. I’d have the chance to be creative every so often.

But due to social distancing, I’ve cooked everyday…for the last five weeks. What was once a hobby has started to feel like a chore.

God bless all those working moms and dads who come home after a long day’s work to prepare dinner for their kids. It’s a lot of work.

How I wish I could go back in time and thank my own mother for all the cooking she did for me. 

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One of the interesting things I find with recipes is the fact that nearly every one of them calls for a pinch of salt.

Not a gallon. But a pinch. A little salt goes a long way.

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In the Gospel, a large crowd of people are following Jesus. And like all of us at the end of a long day, they’re hungry. Somebody needs to feed them. 

So Jesus turns to Philip and Andrew asking, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” Andrew says.

Nobody considered this poor boy’s feelings. Does he want to offer his food? Thankfully Andrew doesn’t think it’s worth much anyways. 

What this boy has to offer, it seems, is simply not enough.

Yet Jesus takes these five loaves and two fish and multiplies them until everyone is satisfied.

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How often we feel like this little boy. What we have to offer doesn’t seem to be enough. Whether we’re short on money, energy, or time.

But Jesus shows us that even the smallest offering can make a world of difference, much like a pinch of salt.

A weekly offering at church; a phone call to a friend; a sincere prayer; picking up groceries for a neighbor. 

These small acts of love go a long way, especially while everyone feels stressed and cooped up at home.

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A pinch of salt doesn’t seem like much. Nor do five loaves and two fish. But Jesus makes a little go a long way.

The same is true with love. Just a pinch of it makes a world of difference.

How, then, might we offer a pinch of love to a neighbor, a spouse, or a friend today?