Fish and Bread

In those days when there was again a great crowd without anything to eat, he called his disciples and said to them, “I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way—and some of them have come from a great distance.” His disciples replied, “How can one feed these people with bread here in the desert?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” Then he ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them to the crowd. They had also a few small fish; and after blessing them, he ordered that these too should be distributed. They ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. Now there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha. Mark 8:1-10

Loving God, Creator of all life

you provide us with great abundance

you want to see all the living fed

and soften our earth with spring rains.

We do not see the needs around us

instead we hoard and stockpile goods

we lock ourselves behind fences

fearful of those who are without.

Yet you knew the people were hungry

you did not chastise them but fed them

you turned a small offering into plenty

by your blessing and your compassion.

Help us to live by your blessing and love

give us the strength to leave our safety

you promise to walk with us in all times

let us be your blessings for others today. Amen.