Years ago, a full page Kodak Ad read, “We’ve made digital photography so easy to use, you won’t have to ask your kids for help.” That line reveals a lot about the electronic culture. Some say that children are the only reason most devices aren’t blinking “12:00.”

It is also said that children can teach us generosity, their ability not to see differences, remind us to wear seat belts, to stop smoking and to recycle.

In Sunday’s Gospel a child brings what he has to help Jesus feed a vast crowd.

Over the past several Sundays, we have been examining our relationship with Jesus, how we respond to him and his message, and how we establish our identity with him.

We reflected on how Jesus showed us the reality of rejection by being rejected but not giving in to or giving up. We reflected on our own propensity to get in God’s way, refusing to listen to the message of God’s word. Today, the passages about bread have an obvious connection to the Eucharist.

Elisha, is presented with a gift of 20 barley loaves. The point of recording the amount is to emphasize generosity. Also, the bread is barley. Most bread was made from wheat but barley was used almost exclusively by the poor.

Rather than keep the gift for himself, Elisha orders the food to be shared with all the people. There was not enough to feed all, but it was a gift generously given, and so it was enough.

In the Gospel there is a child with a gift. A direct question is asked of Jesus, “What good is that for so many?” The action of Jesus made his answer clear. The gift was good enough.

Jesus took what they had and made it enough, 12 baskets left over! The number is not about the quantity, but the quality of what is described as the gift of bread from this child. It was a complete gift, nothing was lacking in its capacity to satisfy and nourish.

What becomes clear is that the way we are to identify ourselves with Jesus Christ is in the bread and wine which has become his body and blood.

As Catholics, our first precept, or rule, is that we must participate in Mass on Sunday and holy days. The reason is this: it is at the sacrifice of the Mass that we become Catholic, that we become one with Christ, that we identify with Christ.

To stay away is an act of rejection that is as clear and as hurtful as the rejection of Jesus when he preached to his own. If you look at participation in Mass only as fulfilling a rule, as “I have to be here,” you will never be satisfied.

The Eucharist is a gift from God, a gift of Himself to you, to face daily life with Him, knowing that you are not alone and that, with Him, you can do a lot more than you realize ... with the little you think is all you have and, therefore, not enough.

Can you imagine the child who gave the bread going home and telling his Mom, “Mom, you’ll never guess what happened today! I fed a lot of people today because God asked me for my bread.”

Even though it seemed so little for so many, what Jesus said to him and to us was, “I will be with you in this.”

What has God been asking from you? Forgiveness? Patience? Acceptance? Understanding?
Giving up your anger ... fear ... negative attitude ... drinking ... jealousy ... bad language ... ?
What miracle would happen to you and others if you gave God what He is asking from you?