Saturday, February 15, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Matthew 14:13–21

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (NRSV)

Reflection

It is a lovely picture: a great crowd seated on a hillside, Jesus teaching and healing. Evening approaches, people are hungry, little ones are fussing. Five loaves and two fish are all the food at hand. It’s enough. In Jesus’ hands it is sufficient to feed five thousand with plenty to spare.

You can choose to live your life on the basis of scarcity. There are never enough resources, or time, so you have to save, hoard, fill the pantry to overflowing, cram as much into every day, because the clock is ticking. Time is finite — and running out. A social scientist recently observed that everyone wants 25 percent more of everything.

Or you can choose to live your life on the basis of abundance. There is enough. You have sufficient brains, energy, passion, and enough time, particularly if you put it all in the service of Jesus, which means service to the world, community, church, and family. In Jesus’ hands a little goes a long way. The little we think we have becomes more than enough, with plenty left over, at the end of the day.

Scarcity or abundance?

Prayer
Help me, today, to think clearly about who I am and what I have. When I doubt if I am enough, or if what I have is enough, gently remind me to hand it over, myself included, to you. And then, O God, use me, everything I am and have; multiply it and use it to bring about your kingdom on earth. When I obsess about how little I am and have, remind me of that day long ago: the disciples’ awareness of scarcity, the little boy’s small resources, and the miracle of abundance that happened. In the of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

Written by John M. Buchanan, Pastor Emeritus
June 22, 2010

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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