The Miracle of Leftovers

BY ALEX MIKULICH | July 30, 2018
Sunday’s Readings

As I reflect on today’s readings, I am struck by the many ways our society lives by a cruel understanding of economic scarcity. This cruelty painfully hit home when I was recently in traffic court proceedings offering support for a friend. Everyone in the court could hear each person’s case and predicament. Person after person could not afford to pay their fine and were burdened with more fines for no reason except being poor. And many people had visible signs of illness or physical disability.  

The message of the system I found in court is painfully clear: you are only as valuable as what is in your wallet.  

Today’s readings invite us to witness to the miracle of leftovers. Yet, because we tend to live by a vision of economic scarcity, I can relate to Elisha’s servant who sees too little food for too large a crowd. The prophet and Saint Paul both call people of faith to live humbly and generously with and for one another in God’s love. This humble sharing reveals the miracle of leftovers.   

In John’s Gospel, Jesus invites the multitude to recline. How refreshing!  I hear Jesus saying rest, relax, and enjoy each other’s company. This is “bearing one another in love” as Paul joyfully announces to the Ephesians. Jesus’ simple gesture of giving thanks and distributing the loaves and fishes is the presence of God’s abundant, overflowing love with and for us, especially those most vulnerable among us.  

In Ignatian terms, when we give thanks and share who we are and what we have with and for each other, we share the Magis, the abundant more of Jesus loving us and the world. This unimaginable miracle of leftovers is the way of Ignatian solidarity to which we are called.

4 replies
  1. Dawn Hawks
    Dawn Hawks says:

    Whenever you have done to the least of these you’ve done so unto me thus said Christ here I am living in America homeless due to disability and you took me in a drug addict alcoholic I’m upstairs in a smoky room I have never drank or use drugs I have been very disciplined I have peace of Christ within me and these dear people share their love with me when we all come to the great feast who will be sitting there? Read in Luke here I be thankful for I have lived a life of compassion through Christ and I see his love and many places

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  2. Carole B.Belgrade
    Carole B.Belgrade says:

    In this reflection – Mikulich expresses the healing vision of the Kingdom of God. The distribution of the Loaves and Fishes is a symbolic way of expressing God’s love. We spiritually and collectively re-inact this sacred gift of live as we participate in the Sacrament of Communion.

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