NOTES for Mat 14:14-22

When we read today’s Gospel passage, our hearts overflow with an immeasurable love and gratitude toward the Lord, our Father who is so caring and kind. But this feeling should not be one of intoxication, but one of sobriety and vigilance. Let us quote a passage from a sermon by Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh devoted to today’s reading.

“And here is Christ’s challenge to the disciples, and Christ’s challenge to us. Yes, in a certain sense God alone can work this miracle; but only if we cooperate with this miracle through the openness of our hearts and the openness of our hands, placing into the miracle everything we have. Christ did not say to the disciples: keep what you need for yourselves and give the rest, give others what remains. He said: take everything you have and give it all...

Is this not what the Lord is saying to us now, with particular emphasis, when we are so secure, so rich, so prosperous, and when day after day we hear of hunger and destitution and the starvation of thousands upon thousands of people? And the Lord says to us quite simply: give what you have and leave Me to act further; do not ask Me for a miracle when you can do what is needed...”