A Few Loaves and Fishes

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

My mother was an expert at feeding large crowds. I came upon her recipe for a simple casserole for a family of six. Below the recipe, written in her hand, were the amounts needed for 20, 40 or 60 people. She always fed as many people as showed up and no one went hungry when Betty was around. She knew, after a childhood in great poverty, that God's love is often found in the simplest of things - a good meal, a cup of cold water, a loving hug.

Generous, Creator, we are grateful for your love

you fill our lives with people who love us

you send us companions and friends

to walk with us and strengthen us

as we travel through this hungry world.

Help us to live with generosity and kindness

so the world might know you love

in simple gifts of food and loving welcome. Amen.