SPEAKER_00: There's two very different reactions in today's readings.
SPEAKER_00: First reading, you have caution.
SPEAKER_00: In the gospel, you have trust.
SPEAKER_00: Gamiel stands up in the Sanhedrin and says something very reasonable, very measured, very safe.
SPEAKER_00: He says, If this is from God, you won't be able to stop it.
SPEAKER_00: And on one level, he's right.
SPEAKER_00: It's wise, it's careful, it avoids making a mistake.
SPEAKER_00: But notice what's missing: conviction.
SPEAKER_00: He doesn't say this is from God.
SPEAKER_00: He says, let's wait and see.
SPEAKER_00: And that's where a lot of people live their faith.
SPEAKER_00: Not against God, but not fully for him either.
SPEAKER_00: I'm open, yeah, let's see what God can do.
SPEAKER_00: I'm watching, I'm responsive, I'm ready to commit.
SPEAKER_00: That's safe language.
SPEAKER_00: But it doesn't change anything.
SPEAKER_00: Now, if we go to the gospel, five thousand people hungry.
SPEAKER_00: And Jesus turns to his disciples and asks, Where can we buy enough food?
SPEAKER_00: And Philip responds exactly how we would, I know I would, with logic, with numbers, with realism.
SPEAKER_00: Not possible.
SPEAKER_00: Andrew steps in, slightly more hopeful, but still hesitant.
SPEAKER_00: He says, Um, yeah, Jesus, there's a boy here, five loaves, two fish.
SPEAKER_00: And then he says, But what good is that for so many people here?
SPEAKER_00: That's the line because that's all of us.
SPEAKER_00: Because every one of us has had that moment when we look at what we have, and it doesn't seem like enough.
SPEAKER_00: Not enough time, not enough strength, not enough patience, not enough things, not enough faith.
SPEAKER_00: What good is this?
SPEAKER_00: And Jesus doesn't argue, doesn't even explain.
SPEAKER_00: He simply says, Bring it to me.
SPEAKER_00: And then something happens.
SPEAKER_00: He takes what is clearly not enough, he blesses it, breaks it, and multiplies it.
SPEAKER_00: And suddenly it's more than enough.
SPEAKER_00: The difference between caution and trust, Gameliel stands back and says, Well, let's see what happens.
SPEAKER_00: The boy steps forward and says nothing, but gives what he has.
SPEAKER_00: Here's the key.
SPEAKER_00: The miracle didn't begin with abundance, it began with an offering.
SPEAKER_00: That's the teaching.
SPEAKER_00: That's the lesson that all of us need to learn because most of us are waiting until we're ready.
SPEAKER_00: We have it all.
SPEAKER_00: When we have more, when we're better, stronger, more put together.
SPEAKER_00: And Jesus is saying, start with what you have.
SPEAKER_00: Because he's not asking for your perfection, he's asking for your availability.
SPEAKER_00: So what's holding you back?
SPEAKER_00: Because you think it's not enough?
SPEAKER_00: 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?
SPEAKER_00: What good is this?
SPEAKER_00: And Jesus says, Well, give it to me.
SPEAKER_00: Because here's the truth.
SPEAKER_00: In your hands, it's not enough.
SPEAKER_00: In his hands, it becomes something you never imagined.
SPEAKER_00: And then there's one final detail we can't miss.
SPEAKER_00: After everyone eats, after they've been satisfied, there's leftovers.
SPEAKER_00: Twelve baskets.
SPEAKER_00: Why?
SPEAKER_00: Because God doesn't just meet the need, he exceeds it.
SPEAKER_00: In abundance.
SPEAKER_00: So don't live your faith like Gameliel, watching, waiting, keeping a safe distance.
SPEAKER_00: No, live like the boy.
SPEAKER_00: Quiet, simple, but willing to give everything, as small as it is.
SPEAKER_00: Because when you trust God with what feels small, He does something that is that He does something that is anything but small.
SPEAKER_00: And that's how the kingdom grows.
SPEAKER_00: 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.
SPEAKER_00: And then sit back and let him do the rest.
SPEAKER_00: Amen.