Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21
As I continue to reflect on my time here at St. Stephen’s, I find today’s Gospel reading particularly relevant to life at this place. This passage, Matthew’s version of what we know as the Feeding of the 5,000, is this church and this congregation. In fact, since returning in 2021, I’ve heard the phrase “loaves and fish” spoken by many of you in many settings – more times in fact than I can remember.
Potluck meals in the Parish Hall and on the lawn where we wonder if we’re going to have enough to feed everyone, only to discover there’s so much left over that guests are encouraged to take to-go boxes with them. Loaves and fish. Trunk-or-Treat events where we’ve fretted that we won’t have enough candy for all the children who visit with their families, only to discover we’re able to start doubling and tripling up on what we hand out because the candy keeps arriving. Loaves and fish. Weeks when the pantry cabinets have run very low on supplies and we’ve wondered if we’d be able to stock the blessing box, only to discover some anonymous donor has already come by and filled it to capacity. Loaves and fish.
In reading this particular feeding story, one of many found throughout the Bible, I think we tend to focus on two specific points: the portion of the narrative that’s the actual miracle performed by Jesus, and the number of people fed. A few thoughts on these. First, a significant part of the story – one I think is often overlooked – is the act of the disciples gathering and bringing the loaves and fish to Jesus. Taken a step further, the choice made by those few in the crowd who brought loaves and fish that day is also very important; without their having done so, there wouldn’t have been anything on which to build the miracle. We read in the Gospels of many miracles performed by Jesus, but in this case the miracle also required the work of the hands of many others before it was ever placed in the hands of Jesus.
Next, look at the order in which the story is laid out. The disciples say the crowds should go home so they can eat; Jesus tells the disciples to feed the crowds themselves; the disciples say they don’t have enough to feed everyone; Jesus blesses and breaks the loaves and has them and the fish distributed to everyone; everyone eats their fill, and there are 12 baskets left over. It’s only then that we see there were more than 5,000 people there – 5,000 men plus who knows how many uncounted women and children. It’s wrong to call this miracle the Feeding of the 5,000. Instead, I think we could base the title on the response of the disciples and call it the miracle of Feeding More Than We Ever Thought Possible.
Notice as well that nowhere do we see Jesus tell the disciples to feed everyone, to ensure that every woman, man, and child there that day was able to eat. He simply said, “You give them something to eat.” They didn’t think they could address the need of everyone, and they couldn’t – but they weren’t expected to. The miracle of feeding everyone was Jesus’ to perform; the attempt to help feed who they could as authentically and meaningfully as they could was one the disciples were to perform.
Many hands bringing what they can. Trusting in the providence of God. Feeding more than anyone ever thought possible. All of these are at the root of your service to one another and to the community. These together make up the loaves and fish approach I’ve seen you take time and time again, and while my instinct is to remind you to continue that approach in the years ahead, I know I don’t have to. It’s always come naturally, something that seems to be woven into the fabric of this place and all who come here.
Loaves and fish carried St. Stephen’s through its early years. Loaves and fish carried St. Stephen’s through the three decades it was closed. Loaves and fish carried St. Stephen’s through its rebirth and growth. Loaves and fish were a very visible sign to me when I was raised here, and when I was sent from here into the world. Loaves and fish continue to be that sign as you send me out into the world once again.
Many people have benefitted from your generosity, the many hands you contribute to feed as many as you can – spiritually and physically – while also recognizing you don’t need to try and feed everyone (as much as I know you’d like to). Remember that as you continue doing what you’ve always done so well. Keep offering those hands and that sustenance during the interim time and into the next chapters of your lives here and the history of this place. Keep helping those you can, however you can, and continue trusting in the miracle that one day all will be fed and all will be filled.
Amen.