Nothing May Be Lost

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.  A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’ John 6:1-14

Nothing May Be Lost

There seems so little to share
and the need so vast and great
a field of hungry far from home
a child offers us all hope.

The leadership could see the lack
no bread to stretch for so many
the broken people healed but weak
hoping for a meal for the journey.

We are not left starving in the field
the Creator of the shimmering grass
comes dancing into the sad circle
and lifts the heads of every single one.

Abundance bursting from small offering
small seeds broken open with fruit
a crescendo of hope and possibility
a great feast for the poor and least.

Spread the blanket on this sacred earth
which aches to be reborn and abundant
touch the earth and reach the skies
the blessings come from the heart of God.