Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Feeding Everyone Through Christ​

One of my favorite Bible stories is the story in Matthew where Jesus feeds thousands with just five loaves of bread and two fish. The story reads: 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.

Most Sundays I have a unique view of at least one service when I am in the balcony video booth. The view from the window is unique in that I can only see the front of the sanctuary and 2-3 rows of pews. Unless I adjust the camera, I have no idea how many folks are sitting in the pews. I imagine this is how the disciples felt that day when they were asked to distribute a meager amount of food to the vast crowd. How would they feed so many people? Did they know how many people were there? Could they see everyone in attendance? 

While we may not know the answers to these questions, I am certain the disciples were skeptical about what Jesus was asking them to do. They had to trust that things would be okay, and that Jesus had total control over the situation. Each week, no matter how we gather for worship, we also must trust that we will be fed. 
 How are you fed each week during worship? This doesn’t just mean being fed with the sacrament of Holy Communion, but also being fed through the music, the liturgy, and the entire worship experience. My prayer each week is no matter how many are gathered in person, or watching on video or tuning in on the radio that they are fed through body, mind, and spirit just like the crowds who stood on the shore that day. I pray you are filled with the love of Jesus and one another and can abundantly share that love with everyone around you. 

Alyson Hoegg