Ninth Sunday after Trinity
“all ate and were filled, and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full”
Overview
Over the last three weeks we have heard a series parables that reveal how God’s perspective is often very different from our own: the seed is sown on rich soil and poor soil; the weeds are nurtured alongside the wheat; and all the fish, good and bad, are drawn into the same net. God, it seems, is not as picky as we are.
So, when feeding the 5,000, in Matthew 14:13-21, God works with whatever there is. The disciples state “we have nothing” yet Jesus still commands “bring it to me” and “all ate and were filled.”
But the most significant thing about this story is not the meagre rations but the leftovers. When the disciples collect all that was discarded, “the broken pieces”, they fill 12 baskets. Twelve symbolises God’s people, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 disciples, 12 full baskets representing the fulfilment of God’s promise.
God has history in using the overlooked and discarded: the youngest son, the smallest tribe, dust and dry bones. So, when Isaiah 55:1-5 promises divine feasting and plenty to a people who have seen their land destroyed and their people scattered, he is reminding them that God can create and restore using only the remnant, the left-overs.
God not only CAN create out of nothing if that’s all there is to hand; but that God CHOOSES to. God has a preference for entrusting power to the weak, the overlooked and the broken because they are the ones who will let God use them.
The challenge for us is to offer all that we have even (when we, like the disciples, believe that “we have nothing”). God may sometimes use our strengths but our weaknesses are what God can really work with.
FIRST READING
Isaiah 55:1-5
The Lord says this: everyone who thirsts;
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread
and your earnings for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
Now you shall call nations that you do not know,
and nations that do not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.
GOSPEL
Matthew 14:13-21
When Jesus heard that Herod had beheaded John the Baptist, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled, and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
