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.’ When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. John 6:1-15
My Cherokee mother was all about feeding and gathering up fragments. As a widow she fed dozens of children, once a week, all who had parents in prison. Every child went home with multiple take-out containers so they and their families could eat. Strangers (to me) often showed up in her garage, stuffing food into her trunk or the spare refrigerator. She was living out Jesus' love for those children by providing a meal and friendship and none ever forgot it. This miracle of a small boy's lunch becoming a feast for thousands. The generosity of one can change the world and those who gather fragments and care for the lost, alone and stranger know God's miracles and abundance.
Wondrous Creator, we thank you for the fish in the sea
and the wheat that grows in these warm summer seasons
that feed the people who are spread across this wide earth.
We cut up out planets with borders and political divisions
yet you see only the hungry, the neglected and the lost
while we sit idly by not even gathering the fragments.
Help us to be grateful again for your abundant love
make us care for those sitting in the grass hoping
and give us the faith to trust you will provide all needs. Amen.
