Broken Pieces Left Over

After Jesus had left that place, he passed along the Sea of Galilee, and he went up the mountain, where he sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the mute, and many others. They put them at his feet, and he cured them, so that the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?” Jesus asked them, “How many loaves have you?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. Those who had eaten were four thousand men, besides women and children. After sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan. Matthew 15:29-39

Loving Creator, heart of the hungry and poor

you had compassion at the top of the mountain

making much out of our little inadequate offerings

feeding the crowd with great love and comfort.

We are often satisfied with what we have now

yet when crisis comes we cry out like children

wringing our hands and beating our chests

for our lack of care and consideration of others.

You took the small loaves and the few fish

and made them more than enough for the crowd

and you take the few small inadequate gifts we offer

and turn them into abundance for the many.

Help us to pick up the broken pieces left over

and make meals for those who are in need

help us to offer our broken pieces to you

trusting that you will make a feast for all. Amen