In A.D. 29, with five loaves his disciples were reminded of the feeding of five-thousand, seven loaves, the four-thousand, and how many baskets of leftovers they took up (Mt. 16:9-10; Mk. 8:1-21). This shows that nothing is impossible with God. Gifts of feeding though, can take many forms.

Russian businessman and politician Roman Abramovich (b. 1966) says, “But charity is a very complicated thing. It’s important to find an area where you can really help and you can feel the results. Charity is not like feeding pigeons in the square. It is a process that requires professional management.” Unlike Jesus, the task of feeding thousands are great. In churches, there will have to be planning and organization to succeed in such an undertaking.

People do multiple chores to live effectively. Gisele Bündchen (b. 1980), Brazilian fashion model, actress, and producer remarks, “I’m not a potato sack; I’ve never sat on my couch. If I’m home, I’m cleaning, feeding my dogs, doing stuff. Life is too precious to waste time.” Some feel they have to keep busy to accomplish their tasks.

There are corporations which promote themselves to consumers for accomplishing goals. Political activist and attorney Ralph Nader (b. 1934) warns, “For almost seventy years the life insurance industry has been a smug sacred cow feeding the public a steady line of sacred bull.” Nader was rather skeptical about the promises these companies made to their clients. Some go overboard in selling benefits that aren’t exactly true.

It may be all about the environment in which we work. Some say we must select the right settings to meet our growing demands of consumption. Author of the new thought tradition, Napoleon Hill (1883 – 1970) said, “We begin to see, therefore, the importance of selecting our environment is the mental feeding ground out of which the food that goes into our mind is extracted.” Great expectations lead to wise choices. Alternatively, bad ones are counterproductive.

Yet, they are those who believe what we put into our work we get back in return. It is then necessary to plant the right seeds in the soil. Thomas Szasz (1920 – 2012), academic, psychiatrist, and psychoanalyst, recalled, “The proverb warns that ‘You should not bite the hand that feeds you from feeding yourself.” Being concerned with self, it is necessary to think about the gifts of feeding others, especially the poor and destitute. This is a way blessings come.

Journalist, social activist and Catholic convert, Dorothy Day (1897 – 1980) wrote, “Together with the Works of Mercy, feeding, clothing and sheltering our brothers, we must indoctrinate.” Works of mercy must be the means to an end. Let people know Christ is the answer. By living abundantly for the love of Jesus Christ we all will be greatly blessed.