“Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied.” Mark 6:41-42
Taken, blessed, broken, and shared was the five loaves and two fish that served the multitudes. It is the order of this event that we can ponder. Before the millions could be fed, first the loaves had to be broken. And when we celebrate the Eucharist each day we share in the body of Christ after it has been broken, not before. Christ first submitted himself with complete obedience to God in order that we could share with Him eternal life – “Though he was in the form of God, [Jesus] did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather…. he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6, 8).
How can we be broken first in order to share the light of Christ with others? By setting aside our own will – in humility and obedience – in order to live God’s will. We can strive to love one another, respect our differences, and as Max Lucado says in Fearless, “move away from sIn with a capital “I” which is a “me-centered” life and not a “God-centered” life.” When we humble ourselves in this way and let God direct our paths, we can easily be shared with others because the light of Christ will naturally shine from within us out to all we come in contact with. Our brokenness, reveals the fullness of God’s love. So let us start each new day with the Eucharistic celebration, and follow Jesus’ command to, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)
Dear Lord,
Help us transform our sinful nature into a God-centered life of thanksgiving, humility, obedience, and love. Remind us to share our gifts - to be broken bread and poured out wine as we reflect your goodness and mercy to the world around us. Amen
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