Enough

The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, ‘Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.’ And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side. Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, ‘Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ They said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ And they said to him, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’ Mark 8:11-21

We all have times when we forget something important and feel bad about it so much that we are not present, but distracted and sorrowful. Jesus had performed miracle after miracle and yet his disciples were worried about bread. The Pharisees and political leaders wanted signs, as if miracles were not enough. And we are often drawn back into thinking we do not have enough, and we are inadequate for the situation. Yet Jesus warns us to avoid "failure" thinking and behavior. God has more than enough to go around, and we are empowered, day after day, by Christ's love for us.

Loving Creator, source of all strength

you have promise to give us daily bread

to refill our empty wells and our minds

and to renew and strengthen us in each season.

The world is anxious and fearful always

and we are drawn in by the strength of fear

our feelings of inadequacy overwhelm us

and we draw away from the care of others.

Help us Lord, to trust in you completely

you are more than enough for our needs

let us be present for the people around us

so your love might be shared through us. Amen.