Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Last Sunday’s Gospel presented Jesus feeding more than 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish. The crowd must have frightened the disciples. They were worried about the lack of food. They could have a catastrophe on their hands with hungry people who could become desperate.

Jesus’ response was a simple one, “give them some food yourselves.” They were inadequate to the task and could do very little on their own. However, when they turned over what little they had to the Lord, great things happened – a miracle occurred. The 5,000+ were fed with 12 wicker baskets left over. It’s a lesson for all of us that no one can ever out do God’s generosity. When we truly turn over what little we have to God, He will multiply those gifts in ways we could never have imagined.

We live in a world which seems to be spinning out of control. We helplessly watch international events in Russia and the Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and North Korea. Catholic faithful and various Christian believers are being persecuted and martyred in Africa and in the Middle East for professing their belief in Jesus Christ.

Nationally we are confronted with a crisis on our borders with more than 70,000 children fleeing their native countries; we experience violence in our own cities and a growing distrust of government’s ability to make a difference.

Like the disciples, we feel helpless in the face of such vast problems. What can we do since we possess so little? We can turn over what little we possess to Jesus so that He can multiply our gifts. We can inform ourselves about what’s happening in the world. We can donate (Catholic Relief Services internationally and Catholic Charities locally/nationally). We can make our voices heard by notifying our elected officials with a simple letter or a phone call.

You’d be surprised what a difference this can make in shaping the minds of elected officials. Of course, as persons of faith, we can pray, seeing God’s hand in everything we do and trusting in God and knowing that miracles can and do happen.

Just as Jesus looked with compassion on the crowds that gathered to be with Him, so too, do we look with love and compassion on our suffering brothers and sisters. We do it because Jesus challenges us to give of ourselves and to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Note: This blog originally appeared as the August 5, 2014 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.