In those days when there was again a great crowd without anything to eat, he called his disciples and said to them, ‘I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way—and some of them have come from a great distance.’ His disciples replied, ‘How can one feed these people with bread here in the desert?’ He asked them, ‘How many loaves do you have?’ They said, ‘Seven.’ Then he ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them to the crowd. They had also a few small fish; and after blessing them, he ordered that these too should be distributed. They ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over seven baskets full. Now there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha. Mark 8:1-10
As a child I was taught early that if someone came to the house they were fed, no questions asked. We never had a lot, but what we had we shared. I thought that was how everyone grew up. In every Indigenous community I have been in across the world, feeding and caring for folks, family and strangers alike, is essential. If there is to be a feast of any sort, there is always extra for people to take home. We assume there are other family members to feed back home, and no one should go hungry. Mercy and compassion were an integral part of my upbringing and my life. Jesus had compassion and mercy on the people who had come so far. He knew their needs and always showed mercy and compassion. as he knows ours. May we who are so blessed make room for mercy and compassion in our lives.
Loving Creator, source or mercy and compassion
the world you give us is abundant with good food
yet so many go hungry, so many are forgotten
yet you call us have compassion and feed the hungry.
The world is off-kilter, folks fear the stranger
doors are slammed in the face of those come here
we have been taught to be fearful and hide away
while you are calling us out to the places of needs.
Send us forth today ready to provide the needs
may we be ready to share our bread and your love
may there be no outcasts and room at the table
since you always give us all mercy and compassion. Amen.
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