The feeding of the 5,000 gives so many lessons for our lives. Originally, Jesus went with his disciples to a desert place for some quiet time from a hectic life. But, when he gets there, there is already a huge crowd. Jesus puts aside his own needs and is filled with compassion for the people with needs that are greater. A lesson for us, surely. The people are hungry but there is only a little bread and a few fish. With these the disciples are told to feed the huge crowd. And, to their surprise, they do so with much left over. This, of course, is a sign of the future. It will be the responsibility of Jesus' followers to give the people the nourishment they need for their lives. At times, their resources will seem very inadequate but time will show that wonders can be done with very little. The lesson is clear: God takes care of his people but it is also clear that that only happens through our active cooperation. God will feed the hungry - but only through our hands. When everyone shares, everyone will have enough. A picture of the kind of society the Church should stand for in a world where there is so much need.