5 Loaves and 2 Fishes

I often think about that boy

when I'm feeling small
and I worry that the work I do
means nothing at all

But every single tear I cry
is a diamond in His hands
and every door that slams in my face
I will offer up in prayer

So I'll give you every breath that I have
Oh Lord, you can work miracles
All that you need is my "Amen"

Corrinne May – 5 Loaves and 2 Fishes

When my friend, Jane, introduced me to the songs of Corrinne May some weeks ago, I was particularly attracted to the song entitled “5 Loaves and 2 Fishes” (Verse 2 of the song above). The second verse of the song really struck me.

Many years ago, while still in active ministry, I had always wanted to do big things… things which would make me stand out, to be someone, to be recognised. I’m quite sure that many of us go through that stage of life as well. As Fr Larry Tan SJ said in one of his homilies, “We fear to become someone unknown.” At that time, I really feared that I would fade into obscurity.

Many years has passed. I’m (I hope) much wiser but I realised that I still had that notion of doing something great and big. I complained when I was asked to do little things. In other words, I felt under utilised.

But I forget that it is Christ who magnifies what we do for him. Just like the story of “5 Loaves and 2 Fishes”. All Jesus had was 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes and yet, he managed to feed 5 thousand people and had left over too (sounds like all those dinners that I go to in church hahaha)

If Christ can use that little amount of food to feed so many people, how much more can he use our gifts and talents (however small) for his greater glory and for the benefit of others.

I remember this one story where the late Pope John Paul II was meeting 3 priests. The first one said, “I’m Fr so and so and I’m a professor teaching in a university” and Pope John Paul simply said “Nice to meet you” The second priest also did the same and the same thing happened. The third priest, with a soft voice, said “I’m Fr so and so, I’m just a simple parish priest in a small parish” And guess what happened? Pope John Paul II, so the story goes, knelt down in front of the priest and kissed his hand, saying “It is you who are doing the work of the church”

And so, every now and then, I would remind myself that “no gift is too small” in the service of Christ. Whatever I do, whether big or small I must remember that Christ can use it and transform it into something more beautiful than I can ever imagine. And “all he needs is my Amen”

So take my five loaves and two fishes,

Do with it as you will,

I surrender.

Take my fears, my inhibitions,

all my burdens, my ambitions.

You can use it all.

No gift is too small.

And this is my prayer. To give to the Lord my gifts and talents and let him use it as he will. Because ultimately, it is for his greater glory that we strive for, not our own.