A Child's Lunch

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 toward 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 (NRSV)

A Child's Lunch

It was an everyday lunch
packed by a loving parent
anticipated by a hungry child
as he sat with the dusty throng
listening to one amazing teacher.

He might have fallen asleep
found shade from the hot sun
held off as long as he could
tried to listen as he drowsed
dust and noise swirling around.

It was an everyday lunch
until he overheard the disciples
when he was moved to share
to go hungry, to be generous
despite his growling stomach.

The disciples may have winced
may have thought the gift too small
thought it was a foolish offer which
reluctanly carried to the teacher
thinking they could do no more.

It may have been a child's lunch
yet it was transformed into many
food enough for the crowd's fill
sustanence enough for the journey
a miracle story oft repeated.

We may have only small change
a simple lunch or a cup of tea
our humble offerings all can become
the sustenance for others to thrive
blessed and shared for all the world.