Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Today’s text

Matthew 14:15-21

When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, 'This is a lonely place, and time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.' Jesus replied, 'There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.' But they answered, 'All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.' So he said, 'Bring them here to me.' He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves he handed them to his disciples, who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps left over, twelve baskets full. Now about five thousand men had eaten, to say nothing of women and children.

Prayer

‘Bring them to me.’ Are there any more gracious words you might say to us, Jesus? I know of none.

But I want to bring you not bread or fish, but me. I bring myself to you. Do what you will with what I am and have.

I see your hands as you receive the bread, the fish. Dust folds into the creases of your palms. Calluses cracked and brown frame your fingers. These are hands that have been outdoors most of your years, far from Mary’s watchful eye.

There is no hurry in you as you receive the gifts; no anxiety possesses or consumes your heart. There is time for grace and gratitude, reverence and love for the gifts of earth that lie gentle in your open hands, hands that know how to receive without grasping.

Looking to heaven, you bless bread, yes. But you bless God more, for the rich goodness of earth and the secret intimacy at your depths which you are soon to reveal.

How can I not love you? You are a portrait of the Holy Mystery that lies hidden also in my soul. It waits for you to bless me and release the beauty of the loving grace I see as I watch you.

So I deliver myself into your hands in obedience to your command, ‘Bring them to me.’ Receive and bless me with grace and gratitude, reverence and love, then hand me to the world that your beloved may eat.

Pr. David L. Miller