What Can We Do?

When it grew late, his disciples came to [Jesus] and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; send [the crowds] away so that they may … buy something for themselves to eat.” But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” – Mark 6:35-37 (NRSV) 

Five miles outside the next stop on our pilgrimage, we heard tiny mewing from the weeds ahead. As we got closer, four kittens bounded onto the trail. They brushed against our boots, nipped at our shoestrings, won our hearts. 

But soon it dawned on us: Where was their mother? And the answer seemed immediately and ominously obvious.  

“What should we do?” my friend asked. “What can we do?” was my response. An hour from a town with no shelter. Staying in a hostel that won’t allow pets. Leaving tomorrow to walk another 19 miles. “We have to leave them.” 

It was a familiar feeling. That “this is terrible, but I am powerless” feeling. Wars raging. Ocean currents collapsing. Very little I can do to truly help.  

It’s how the disciples feel. Thousands of hungry folks. Middle of nowhere. No food. A bad situation, but what can they do?  

Jesus has an answer: you feed them. Typical Jesus. Long on love, short on logistics. But sometimes that’s what it takes. A willingness to do something. And not too much concern about how. 

Sitting in the town square a couple hours later, we heard the sound of kittens. They arrived on the shoulders of three French guys. Who bought them food. Talked the hostel into letting them stay. And carried them another 40 miles to the next shelter. 

A miracle. Doing what they could do. 

Prayer
Typical Jesus, what can I do?

About the Author
Vince Amlin is co-pastor of Bethany UCC, Chicago, and co-planter of Gilead Church Chicago, forming now.