Gospel: Mark 8: 1-10
One of the many misconceptions of modern Christianity is the idea that if we but pray to God for the relief of some major problem that God will take care of it for us and it will all go away. This suburban religion thus implies that no effort at all on our part is required other than to pray to God. Today's well-known story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes dispels that notion entirely.
Jesus is well aware of the problem: so many hungry people in the world with no access to food. But we have food at our disposal - not enough to feed all, but still more than we need for ourselves and thus able to be shared. The Lord asks us to provide what we have, and then he encourages us to trust him. What we provide is multiplied and is able to feed everyone with leftovers to spare!
In a land of wealth that claims to be Christian, one that will deny help to the foreigner and stranger under the pretense of needing to help those at home - though the needy at home are neglected as well - today's Gospel reading is an indictment. The land of 4000 square foot suburban dwellings and posh episcopal residences filled with possessions only to impress others is asked by the Lord to give what you have, and the hunger of the world will be satisfied. That it is not is an indictment not on the Lord but on we who will not give.
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