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 towards 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

We live in a very disposable culture and are suffering its effects. We often throw out what can be reused, and we often push people aside when they seem like they don't fit with us. The people following Jesus were an unlikely lot. He took a child's lunch and turned it into a feast for a great crowd. We often focus on what we lack, yet, we regularly toss out the confusing fragments. In the Jesus way, nothing and no one is lost. There is love enough and room enough for everyone. 

Loving God, you feed us all

you gather the broken fragments

the lost, the weary and the hurting

and renew them with your love.

We push away all our discomfort

we set aside those who confuse us

we limit our care and our service

to those who make us comfortable.

Help us take the risks to gather

all the fragments and all the lost

show us your deep love for them

and make us grateful for your love for us. Amen.