Isaiah 55:1-3
Romans 8:35, 37-39
Matthew 14:13-21

The readings for this Sunday speak loudly to what our world is like today. In addition to our scripture readings, the famous poet T.S. Eliot wrote a challenging poem called “The Wasteland.” It was a devastating look into, and commentary on his and our current culture. He pointed out that we are spiritually living in a modern desert, a wasteland, and deserted place. In essence, he was close to the words of Isaiah in our first reading: “Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy?” Isaiah reminds us that God’s love and mercy are not something we earn through works or what we own, but are a generous gift given that we freely and gratefully receive.   

In the gospel, Jesus takes his disciples into a deserted place. It may well be a desert, a place of human  loneliness, hunger, and thirst. We are told that many people followed him to that place. Late in the day, his disciples tell him the obvious. “They are hungry,” Jesus gives a clear response. “Feed them yourselves.” This is the message for us today as his modern disciples. We might reply as his disciples did saying, “All we’ve got are five measly barely loves and only two fish. What good is that in the face of all that has to be done?”  In our own modern desert, we too still spiritually hunger and thirst.  What should we do?

Well St. Paul reassures us that nothing—neither hardship, distress, nor powers—can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. We must choose to receive that love and respond to it. 

The first thing we need to do is to seek God in quiet times of prayer. We should take seriously God’s desire to be with us. We also need to take quiet time for honest reflection about our relationship with God. (Compare the time you spend on your electronic devices compared to the time you spend with God in prayer and reflection!) The closer we are to God the more we will reach out to others who hunger in any way.

Start today by spending time with God by reflecting on the words of Isaiah from the first reading. What do you have to let go of to receive the benefits assured to King David. What benefits do you receive in your life?

Thus says the LORD: All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; Come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk!

Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare.

Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David.