You Satisfy the Hungry

Honoring the Big Mac?

Jeroboam set up calves for worship to make it more convenient for his people. He used the 'good ole boy' system of picking his high priests not those from the order of priests...Levites. He set up feasts to honor the calves he had made and offered sacrifices before these idols. He went about his ways in total disregard of what had been set forth by God.

Once you head down the path of wrongdoing it is strewn with dangers. The greatest danger is that one thing will lead to the next until you are so lost you cannot see your way back. When you are in a position of leadership you have a responsibility to lead in a righteous way. You have an obligation to seek wisdom in what it means to lead well. Jeroboam was attempting to please his people and not his God and the God of his ancestors.


Jeroboam was misusing his abundance and his his generosity to his friends. He thought ruling was a popularity contest. He wanted to maintain good favor among the people through granting their desires.

I have seen some parents who sadly find themselves in the same situation; trying to win favor with their children instead of being the parent and using good judgment. Sometimes saying 'no' is the best thing for a child. Jeroboam could not say 'no'.

In the gospel Jesus is once again feeding thousands with only a few loaves and fishes. This is such a familiar story that until now I had failed to see this as a generosity story. A story if you will about the abundance of God. Jesus, says, "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd..." The people had been together for three days.

A few times we have been at an outdoor concert and once you get your area 'staked out' you do not want to leave for fear of losing your spot. Not having fast food readily available and no one circulate through the crowd selling cold drinks so leaving for food was the only option. They did not buy an entrance ticket...they did not know this was to be a three day conference. They just did not want to leave. Jesus was amazing them with each teaching. The may not have fully understood the message, but it was Jesus, the healer, who was speaking. They were lucky enough to be present for this event.

The disciples were overwhelmed by the crowd and advised Jesus to send them all home rather than try to feed such a crowd....again. Or just maybe the disciples needed another example of the immense abundance of this person Jesus.

Either way it is a very good lesson for us today; for if God is this generous

with food for the physical body.

How much more generous will he be for our spiritual body.

How generous is he with mercy and forgiveness?

How generous is he with protection?

How generous is he with his presence?

He is generous enough to give us his body and blood in the Eucharist at every Mass.

He is generous enough to say I will be with you until the end of time.

He is generous enough to say 'be not afraid'.

He is generous enough to calm the stormy seas.

He is generous enough to mold us into something for himself.

He is generous enough to sustain our life every day.

Jesus only dismissed the crowd after he had fed all four thousand of them.

On my death bed I hope to be able to pray in thanksgiving

for having been satisfied by the love of the Lord.

Lord, you alone can satisfy the hungry heart.