Give Them Something to Eat

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:13-21

Miracles happen when food is offered. Whether what we have to offer is small or large, somehow that is where abundance and plenty begin. God always blesses our meager offerings with abundance. In time of scarcity and dwindling resources, we often forget this. As a church, we often forget this. Yet two fish and five loaves fed over 5000 people, with leftovers. We need to have faith that what we offer will be blessed, what we share will be multiplied and God will provide enough for us all.

Loving Creator, you are the source of abundance

you fed us and cared for us in our wilderness times

you stand with us when the fierce winds blow

and you lead us to pastures and places of plenty.

We are afraid and we hide the gifts you give us

we forget to share and in so doing worry about loss

we store up for ourselves treasures meant to share

and wonder why we feel isolated and so alone.

Turn our hearts of stone to flesh once again

help us to rejoice as we offer what we have

bless the little so it might be come abundance

and teach us daily the miracle of your love Amen.