This past Sunday had a hit parade of Biblical readings.  The reading from Samuel provides the basis for a rather racy and violent novel. But I don’t want to write about David and his actions. The portion from Ephesians offers us a beautiful, hopeful blessing for our everyday lives. But I don’t want to write about Paul’s letter to the people of Ephesus. 

I want to look at the young boy mentioned in the Gospel of John (John 6:1-21) as he tells us about the wondrous feeding of five thousand people with “five barley loaves and two fish.”  

Let’s pretend that we are that young boy. I always wonder about the minor characters mentioned in the Bible. They are us, aren’t they. We have no details about these people, but they play an integral role in the parables, stories and lessons of Jesus. They are the main targets of the lessons, are they not? 

So, the young boy is attending this major gathering of people following a new rabbi. Why? Did he hear his friends talking about the teacher? Was he an ardent follower? Did his parents know what he was doing? Or was he just passing by with the only food that his family would have for the week? Bringing the food home by way of this gathering which he stops to investigate because he is a curious young boy. 

I like to think that it is the latter case. Imagine how he would have felt when the apostles came to him and wanted his bread and fish. This is the food for his family. How can he jeopardize their health by giving the food to these men on the pretext that they can do something that will feed this crowd?  

I know in my heart that Jesus put him at ease. I don’t know if he spoke with him privately and assured him that there would be enough food for his family, but something happened. Because he didn’t object or run away. He put his faith in the hands of Jesus. He became an important part of this miracle. He also became a beneficiary; I am sure that he was able to bring a big basket of leftovers home for dinner. 

Whether this is the way it happened or not, the lesson remains that God loves us all unconditionally. He wants to feed us, clothe us and take care of us. We need to have faith in His endless love. Rest in it and have patience for the results. 

Here is the beautiful blessing contained in the reading from Ephesians 3:18-19:  I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 

Terri