One Child's Offering

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

I am often amazed at how church leaders, lay and clergy alike, are always anxious about money. Phillip is very anxious when Jesus asks him where can food be gotten for the people. "There's no money for that!" is the refrain. And yet, one child offers his small lunch, five barley loaves and two fish, something his mother probably sent him with. This offering sets off a miracle of great generosity and abundance. The child didn't offer money, yet what he has became food for all, with leftovers for all to take home. We are in a time of shortages and anxiety, yet there are still things each of us can offer. Our small offerings might make the difference, might encourage miracles of generosity and abundance, might just help change the world.

Gracious Creator, you feed us and fill us

with the goodness of your creation

and bring us home to communities of faith.

We are anxious, Lord, as the church diminishes

we have focused on the ways of the world

and forgotten to seek your miracles

Lift us from our anxiety and fear today

so we might offer what we have to Jesus

and help bring generosity and abundance here.