Jesus response to the disciples who perceive a lack of food for the people is to say: "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." (Mtt 14: 16) This seeming refusal reminds me of the Lord's response to his Blessed Mother at the Wedding Feast of Cana. The answer, however, is not a definitive one as it invites a deepening of faith and trust. In both cases, it results in Jesus performing a miracle which far surpasses the expectations of those who made the original request. When we consider our life of faith and prayer, we need to avoid two extremes. On one end, there is the tendency to pietism which results in presumption while on the other, there is activism which results in despair. True trust in God and cooperation with grace results in hope. At Mass Jesus invites us to participate in his offering on the Cross. The bread and wine we bring as gifts looks feeble yet that is what we have been asked to provide. Jesus, as he did on that day, uses our efforts and offering, both temporal and spiritual, to work a miracle. With the multiplication of food the people were fed, with the Mass our sins are forgiven, and we are transformed by the Body and Blood of the Saviour, who multiplies graces and charisms for the benefit of our families and community.
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