Gathering Up the Fragments

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 are all human, and all humans find themselves fragmented and lost from time to time. We feel there is never enough sometimes, and often what we have is not nearly enough for the need. Most churches and communit6ies are anxious about not having enough for the present and future. Yet into our real anxiety, our very real lived experiences, we are invited to sit down and be fed. We are invited to see that the miracles that not only fed the masses but had an abundance of leftovers, are for us as well. As desperate and anxious we might be, God has more for us and cares about the fragmented, the fractured and the lost.

Abundant Creator, source of abundance

you have showered us with good soil

given us skill and insight to feed ourselves

yet we often find ourselves coming up short.

Our lack often turns us to worry and fear

we think you have wandered far from us

we imagine you do not care for us anymore

while you are making miracles and abundance still.

Help us to take our rest, sit down and be fed

trusting that there will be enough for everyone

knowing that in our lean times you are here

gathering up the crumbs so nothing is lost. Amen.