Homily | April 17, 2026 | Bring What You Have And Watch It Multiply (Episode 93)

There's two very different reactions in today's readings.

First reading, you have caution.

In the gospel, you have trust.

Gamiel stands up in the Sanhedrin and says something very reasonable, very measured, very safe.

He says, If this is from God, you won't be able to stop it.

And on one level, he's right.

It's wise, it's careful, it avoids making a mistake.

But notice what's missing: conviction.

He doesn't say this is from God.

He says, let's wait and see.

And that's where a lot of people live their faith.

Not against God, but not fully for him either.

I'm open, yeah, let's see what God can do.

I'm watching, I'm responsive, I'm ready to commit.

That's safe language.

But it doesn't change anything.

Now, if we go to the gospel, five thousand people hungry.

And Jesus turns to his disciples and asks, Where can we buy enough food?

And Philip responds exactly how we would, I know I would, with logic, with numbers, with realism.

Not possible.

Andrew steps in, slightly more hopeful, but still hesitant.

He says, Um, yeah, Jesus, there's a boy here, five loaves, two fish.

And then he says, But what good is that for so many people here?

That's the line because that's all of us.

Because every one of us has had that moment when we look at what we have, and it doesn't seem like enough.

Not enough time, not enough strength, not enough patience, not enough things, not enough faith.

What good is this?

And Jesus doesn't argue, doesn't even explain.

He simply says, Bring it to me.

And then something happens.

He takes what is clearly not enough, he blesses it, breaks it, and multiplies it.

And suddenly it's more than enough.

The difference between caution and trust, Gameliel stands back and says, Well, let's see what happens.

The boy steps forward and says nothing, but gives what he has.

Here's the key.

The miracle didn't begin with abundance, it began with an offering.

That's the teaching.

That's the lesson that all of us need to learn because most of us are waiting until we're ready.

We have it all.

When we have more, when we're better, stronger, more put together.

And Jesus is saying, start with what you have.

Because he's not asking for your perfection, he's asking for your availability.

So what's holding you back?

Because you think it's not enough?

The time that you could give, the person that you can help, the step of faith you've been avoiding, that part of your life you haven't fully surrendered?

What good is this?

And Jesus says, Well, give it to me.

Because here's the truth.

In your hands, it's not enough.

In his hands, it becomes something you never imagined.

And then there's one final detail we can't miss.

After everyone eats, after they've been satisfied, there's leftovers.

Twelve baskets.

Why?

Because God doesn't just meet the need, he exceeds it.

In abundance.

So don't live your faith like Gameliel, watching, waiting, keeping a safe distance.

No, live like the boy.

Quiet, simple, but willing to give everything, as small as it is.

Because when you trust God with what feels small, He does something that is that He does something that is anything but small.

And that's how the kingdom grows.

Not through perfect people, but through people who finally say once and for all, Lord, this is what I have and I want to give it to you.

And then sit back and let him do the rest.

Amen.