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The lectionary readings for Sunday Proper 11, Year B:

The Lesson: Isaiah 57: 14b-21 ("Build up, build up..")
The Psalm: Ps. 22: 22-30
The Epistle: Ephes. 2: 11-22 ("Remember that at one time you were strangers...")
The Gospel: Mark 6: 30-44 ("The apostles returned...and told all..they had done" and then the feeding of the five thousand.)

Just a quick reflection on the gospel lesson for today. There are often 3 "modern" ways to interpret miracle stories, especially this one. The first is a "Marxist" view, each person shared what he had brought. The overturning of selfish human nature is a miracle. Second is mythological. The messiah provides manna for his people; he is the one who presides over the messianic banquet. Finally, allegorical meaning is ascribed. Five loaves might mean the five books of the law. Two fish would be the prophets and writings.

But this feeding of so many people is the chance to see the miracle of fecundity, as CS Lewis calls it. Not a scrap of fish and a small chunk of bread per person. No, enough so that much was left over. Like the wine at the wedding feast. Not just a few jugs, but barrels and barrels. A god of superabundance.

Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity, said that Jesus can multiply the minute to accomplish the gigantic. Habitat's goal is to wipe out unfit housing from our planet. And they take their way of thinking from this miracle story.

　　　1. Take whatever is available. Focus on what you have.
　　　2. Thank God for it.
　　　3. Get organized. Make a plan.
　　　4. Move out in faith.
　　　5. Pass out what God multiplies.

Often we come to situations which can threaten to overwhelm us. We have so little faith and material to face it. But this story tells us the way which people of faith can act. this eucharistic model is the model for servanthood in our lives.