Posted by The WORD in other words (2019) by Fr Franlou Bardon SVD – Togo, Africa
Wednesday 1st Week of Advent
One parishioner was complaining about the poverty in his place. He pointed out that the climate is not favorable at all times to farming. So, I told him that they could not just depend on their own capacity to acquire their various needs. But they also need to turn to the source of all blessings and ask humbly His divine help.
Today‘s Gospel provides us some enlightenment on the issue of scarcity. The disciples in the Gospel reveal how we usually behave in times of scarcity. We have this tendency to forget the common good and focus on satisfying our individual needs. We leave others struggling on their own to make both ends meet.
Moreover, we may easily dispatch people away when our heart is empty of love. On the contrary, Jesus spontaneously feels deep compassion when he sees the needy. He does not and he cannot ignore people who are in great suffering.
The Lord can intervene during crisis. However, we must entrust Him with all that we have. It does not matter how little it may be. Engaging us in his saving work, he is asking our willful cooperation.
There are projects implemented in our parish to fight against poverty. The battle will surely take much time. The Word of God reassures us of victory. Half of the battle is already won when we begin to appreciate how blessed we are.
We must entrust God our minute resources. Courageously believing that He exceedingly reciprocates every act of generosity demands authentic faith in our compassionate Lord.
