Bread and Signs

The Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side.

Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” They said to one another, “It is because we have no bread.” And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” And they said to him, “Seven.” Then he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” Mark 8:11-21

Bread and Signs

Weeping again across this nation
innocent gunned down mercilessly
we feel starved for mercy and kindness
hungry at our core for honor and dignity.

In this land of plenty some hoard
shutting the gates on those others
who would simply like to thrive
who woudl share a meal with strangers.

Miracles aplenty when we welcome
disaster hate pile up when we won't
flames of creulty are being fanned
we are straving, hungry for compassion.

Mothers die shielding small children
the anguish is to great to look upon
yet we have feasted while others starved
and let us be divided us and them.

It is time to clear the tables now
setting up a different banquet
trusting in God to provide abundance
letting all those who would sit right down.