They Need Not Go

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 

They Need Not Go

O God of abundance in the wilderness
our children are starving for justice
thye have come out by the thousands
crying out to be fed and to be healed.

They have been gassed and sent away
arrested and treated as dangerous
yet, You, O wondrous Creator love all
and have compassion on the lowly.

Draw them in and feed them, please
let us be your servants in this time
help us to share all that is needed now
give us the strength to rise to serve daily.

Once you did not let the people go
please gather us all together again
let us be those who offer what we have
let love be on everyone's lips this day. Amen