Five Loaves, Two Fish

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:13-21 


Five Loaves, Two Fish

We don't like talk of miracles anymore
although zombies and aliens are okay
we don't like talk of responsibility for others
but we sure want someone to feed us in a pinch.

Some anxious mother packed more than needed
some unworried little child offered to share
some five thousand men sat down to eat
and ate the blessed food until they were filled.

Miracles take an anxious mother, a calm child
people hungry enough to believe and follow
as the disciples followed their teacher's instruction
the need was met in radical abundance.

We are anxious about enough for ourselves
we build walls to keep the hungry out
when walls are built the miracles disappear
fruit withers on the vine and welcome is a curse.

We can be the beginning or miracles again
opening doors and following the Divine
we can welcome hope and fullness now
little children will share their lunch once more.