Hi everyone,

So we are a mere week and a half from our travels to distant lands, and of course we need to do what we can to prepare ourselves for the change in culture, climate, and culinary characteristics (not to mention the alliteration). One thing we did (which we didn’t have to, per se, but we wanted to for peace of mind) is take the necessary meds and stuff to protect us our bodies and stomachs from various germs, bacteria, and whatever else might give us a hard time otherwise. These came in the form of shots, pills, and drink. It was a lot.

The problem though, is that one of our kids doesn’t like to eat, drink, and get poked on a regular basis. So getting them to go through all of this has been tough. In fact, for just two pills I sat with them for like a total of 6 or 7 hours…

It was tough to see them struggle with this. It was hard to fight back the tears. But I did what I could to keep my cool through it all, because as much as I really just wanted them to swallow that pill, I also wanted to them to learn. I wanted them to grow in their confidence. I wanted them to know that they were loved and supported even when the simple teeny tiny capsule wouldn’t go down.

And of course they were able to do it almost as soon as I walked away. Maybe I’m the problem…

Here are the readings for next week:
Isaiah 55:1-5
Psalm 145:8-9, 15-22
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21
and a video of them being read:

The feeding of the 5000 is of course a very familiar story. just the mention of “2 fish” or “5 loaves” can evoke the images of Jesus with a crowd of wildly unprepared people and abundantly feeding them enough to have 12 whole baskets of leftovers.

But what strikes me about this passage is what happens right before it. Jesus was just hit with the news of the execution of his cousin John the baptizer. He was sad of course. Maybe angry. Definitely tired. He just wanted to be alone and took off on a boat to get some R&R.

But those people just wouldn’t leave him alone. They didn’t want to learn, perhaps, but they wanted healing. They wanted wholeness. They wanted to feel belonging.

And Jesus, in his fatigue and sorrow, sees them and has compassion. He looks at them with empathy. He feeds them out of love.

Not just with fish, but with wisdom. Not just bread, but with community. Not just physical sustenance, but with a welcome and compassion that surpasses understanding.

This is a gift. That we all are included in this promise of inclusion and healing. May our hearts be filled with this truth, and may it bring us peace and joy in whatever we might be going through!

Thanks be to God! Have a great week, everyone!