The “leftovers” from the miracle of the feeding of the multitude (Jn.6:1-15) was already prophesized in the Old Testament by Elisha when a similar miracle happened (2 Kgs.4:42-44). Why is it important to gather the fragments? Jesus already provides the answer: “so that nothing will be wasted” (Jn.6:12). Part of the reasons for the sad inequality in our world today is because the leftovers are often wasted. Every year, an average of 1.3 billion tons of good food are wasted, representing one-third of all food produced, and about $940 Billion. Now, there is a natural tendency among the rich to shop beyond their capacity to consume, but that is not a license to waste food that would have served the hungry. Friends, no part of our overflowing blessings, whether material or spiritual, must not be allowed to waste just because we are satisfied. There are yet many others who can be satisfied from the fragments that we have left over. In fact, the feeding of the multitude did not end at the scenes that were presented in both the accounts of Elisha and the Gospel of John. The feeding extended to those who never witnessed the miracle, those at home and on the streets, who benefited from the leftovers. God’s blessings are never to be wasted under any pretence, and all we have and can boast of are all products of the benevolent mercy of God, miracles of bounty, which should serve others even in the form of fragments. At the end of the day, it doesn’t hurt at all to help or to feed another needy person from the excess that we no longer need. Shalom!