“You give them something to eat.” Luke 9:13
We’ve all felt it… Lord knows I have…moments when a need feels too big and we feel too small. Whether it’s a hurting friend, a struggling person on the street, or a world that seems to groan with hunger, injustice, and loneliness… the question inevitably rises: What can I do? In my world of work, it’s a question I get asked daily. Sometimes I don’t know and look for a reminder…that’s what I found in today’s Gospel passage.
The disciples asked a similar question in today’s Gospel. As thousands gathered to hear Jesus, the day grew late. The disciples, seeing no clear solution, urged Jesus to send the crowd away. But Jesus didn’t dismiss the need. He turned it back to them: “You give them something to eat.”
That probably felt overwhelming. All they had were five loaves and two fish. But Jesus wasn’t asking them to perform a miracle. He was asking them to offer what they had.
And that’s the answer to our question, too.
Offer What You Have
The miracle didn’t start with abundance. It started with a small offering brought forward in faith and handed over to Jesus. The multiplication came only after the giving.
What’s in your hands today? Maybe it’s time, compassion, your presence, or a quiet gift you think no one notices. If you’re waiting until you have more to offer, you may miss the invitation right in front of you. Jesus doesn’t ask for perfection. He asks for participation.
On this feast of Corpus Christi, we remember not only that Jesus feeds us, but that He invites us to be His hands and feet in the world. The miracle of the Eucharist isn’t just about what happens at the altar. It’s about what happens when we walk out of Mass and ask, “What can I do?”
The answer is simple, though not easy:
Time is short. Give what you have. Trust that it’s enough. He’ll take it from there.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, when I feel overwhelmed by the needs around me, remind me that You’re not asking for what I don’t have…you’re asking for what I do. Help me to give generously, trust boldly and believe that even my smallest offering can become a miracle in Your hands. Amen.