So Nothing May Be Lost

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.” When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. John 6:1-15

My mother spent her later years weekly feeding children from the projects in a neighboring town. She had a small crew of helpers and every Friday night, she would cook a huge meal. She always had takeout boxes, so that each child could take home leftovers. Many of the children went to homes without stable adults, lacking basic necessities and with a parent away in prison. She gathered up the fragments and share them. Other folks might not see these children as important but my Mom did. She knew what their lives were like from experience and she was willing to gather up the little she had to share with the most vulnerable. We do not know where the leftovers from this miracle went. I believe they were sent home with needy children and shared with those who were left out and marginalized.

Gracious Creator, source of abundance

you saw the needs of the hungry people

filling them to the fullest and sharing

with others so nothing may be lost.

Help us to be those who help feed

and care for the overlooked and hungry

the people who you dwell among

and the ones you saved the fragments for. Amen.