The summer is here and the barbecue is working overtime to provide feasts for all who gather. These special times can be made up of family and friends. They can even include neighbours who stroll by and are invited to stay awhile. It’s on these occasions that I think of Jesus and the time he fed the 5,000.
What a gift it was that the disciples jumped into action and found what was offered by the people and brought it all to Jesus. It was Jesus who blessed and broke the bread to be shared with the crowd … and all ate and were filled, with 12 baskets remaining of extra food.
This is what families do when we gather. We bring whatever gifts of nourishment we have and put it all at the feet of Christ who then blesses our abundance and gives it to all who are gathered.
The Rev. Amy Richter writes about this feast held on a simple hillside and compares it to the lavish feast of King Herod. She writes, “There’s no guarded palace, just a beautiful open field where all are welcome. There’s no head table; everyone is a guest of honour. There’s no boasting, just thanksgiving. There’s no pompous vow-making and self-aggrandizement, just simple food, blessed, broken, and shared, and enough for all. No horrible silver platter of death, just twelve baskets full to the brimming with abundant life-giving bread and fish.”
As you barbecue this summer, celebrate God’s presence in your midst and reach out to your neighbour.
