"Gather up the crusts so that nothing will go to waste."

Liturgical readings

2 Kings 4:42-44
Psalm 145
Ephesians 4:1-6
John 6:1-15

"Gather up the crusts so that nothing will go to waste."

The passage from St. John's gospel speaks about the miracle of five loaves of bread and two fish. It was a miracle that fed five thousand men. In other gospel versions, there is an additional phrase added - "not counting women and children". But even without this additional phrase in John's gospel, common sense will tell us that often, people travel with those they know - like family and friends. So, not only did the men benefit, but also members of their family or some friends. But the point to all these is that everyone had their fill, and there were still left overs that filled twelve containers. Jesus was one who knew the value that food can give to people. So, he told his followers directly: "gather up the crusts that are left over so that nothing will go to waste." Jesus may have thought to distribute the leftovers to the people so they will have food when they travel back home.

All creation and human life is part of God's plan - a plan which is good and meant to serve His divine purpose.  All life comes from God and goes back to God. This mystery of life and material blessing we receive each day must be multiplied and then responsibly taken care of, "so that nothing will go to waste". This can be seen also in the Eucharist when the priest and the communion ministers gather the hosts that are left over. The Eucharistic celebration is a symbolic gesture of that feeding miracle of Christ. The hosts that are gathered by the priest and his communion ministers are placed in a few ciboria and then returned to the tabernacle. These hosts are meant to be distributed to the sick and the elderly in the parish community.

Everyone knows the value "left overs" in hard times. It is during such times that families train their children to eat only what they can consume and not to leave any food in their plate. Parents ought to discipline their children in this matter not only during hard times, but for all time. Food is a grace we receive from God. We bless our food and thank God after every meal. In some businesses, we see a few good employees who get the clean leftovers and give it to the poor in their neighborhood. These are miracles of sharing we need to reproduce in abundance. We are called to follow Jesus' example well: to manage whatever is available, work to produce as much good as we can, and if we do well, we can produce resources beyond our expectation. The combined gift of faith in God, in the abilities of others and in our own ability, help us see beyond what is available to what can be produced in abundance.