18th Sunday A

YOU TAKE CHARGE!

Often we hear from some people the boast: Huwag ka mag-alala. Ako ang bahala dito. (I’m in charge; don’t worry). And we have a joke that says: Ikaw nga ang bahala, kami ang kawawa. (You are in charge, and so we suffer).

Jesus makes a striking remark in the gospel today. When problems arose, the disciples normally ran to him for solution. Someone needed healing, Jesus took over and restored to health. Another mourned the dead, and Jesus came to resuscitate to life again. A person is perplexed and Jesus explained or clarified God’s will for him. In many instances, Jesus always seemed to have said to his disciples: I’m in charge here; don’t worry. He was really the reliable Master.

In the gospel today, the roles are reversed. The disciples come to Jesus to explain that there was no food for the crowd and that he should send them home to eat. Instead of taking responsibility at once, Jesus turns to his disciples and says: You give them something to eat. You take charge.

The disciples, like many of us, want to dispense easily of the burden of helping others. They wanted to wash their hands off the need to care for the hungry men, women and children. It was a joy to have them around to listen to the Master, but when problems arose, it was much better to let them go their own way.

Jesus would have none of this attitude. Yes, he was someone who could be counted on to help but his men must also learn to care. When the disciples produced their little share, the Lord multiplied the bread and fish and 5,000 men ate their fill.

This is a perennial temptation. How easy for us to evade the necessary task of helping others ourselves. Isn’t it easier to refer the needy to the church? Isn’t it easier to lead them to the politicians who have the budget for alleviating people’s sufferings?

When we respond to the needs of others and offer our help, even the tiniest effort, like 5 loaves and 2 fish, the Lord will work a miracle beyond our imagination. Taking the bread and fish that were so insufficient, Jesus produced food that thousands could not even finish. The remnants were all over.

Do not be afraid to share what you have. Maybe we don’t have enough but God is a God of goodness and abundance. When he sees your good intentions, he will bless it and make graces for you and others overflow.

This time of the year is important to me and 19 others ordained with me in 1996. We celebrate our ordination anniversary. On that day, Jesus told us: take charge of people, of situations, of people’s concerns. May we always be ready to give what little we have so that the miracle of Jesus will continue to work in the lives of many.