Thursday of the Third Week in Lent

Read John 6:1–14

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When I got to the hillside where Rabbi Jesus was teaching, I couldn’t believe it. The crowd was huge! I could see why — we eagerly listened for hours. But as afternoon came, his disciples got anxious. My stomach grumbled, and it dawned on me: nobody had eaten anything today. And a big group of hungry people could turn into a stampede.

My mother had packed for me what she could this morning. We can’t afford refined flour, so I’ve gotten used to the rough texture of barley loaves. And two fish weren’t much, but they were a little protein to get me through the day. It sounds silly, but I had to do what I could. I tapped a disciple on the shoulder and handed him my lunch. If Jesus had the power everybody says he does, maybe he could do something with it.

Jesus, help me to realize that no gift is too small if I place it in your hands.

Text by Jodi Craiglow

Video from First United Presbyterian Church of Belleville, IL