Post by Woody Williams on Aug 3, 2005 6:27:45 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Matthew 15:32-39
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Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.' The disciples said to im, 'Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?' Jesus asked them, 'How many loaves have you?' They said, 'Seven, and a few small fish.' Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. Those who had eaten were four thousand men, besides women and children. After sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.
Devotional
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Bread plays an important role in the Biblical story. Bread is a sign of God's care and compassion for God's creatures, including humans. The manna in the wilderness sustained Israel day by day. The prophet Elijah was sustained in the widow's home by a grain pot that never emptied. In the wilderness Jesus had compassion on the crowd and fed four thousand. God's presence is bread for the journey, whether to feed the body, soul or spirit. In Holy Communion, as well as on our dinner table, bread continues to be a sign that God journeys with us and is present to our lives.
Prayer
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Bread of Life, feed my hunger for your presence and feed our neighbors through your Body, the Church. Amen
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Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.' The disciples said to im, 'Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?' Jesus asked them, 'How many loaves have you?' They said, 'Seven, and a few small fish.' Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. Those who had eaten were four thousand men, besides women and children. After sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.
Devotional
----------
Bread plays an important role in the Biblical story. Bread is a sign of God's care and compassion for God's creatures, including humans. The manna in the wilderness sustained Israel day by day. The prophet Elijah was sustained in the widow's home by a grain pot that never emptied. In the wilderness Jesus had compassion on the crowd and fed four thousand. God's presence is bread for the journey, whether to feed the body, soul or spirit. In Holy Communion, as well as on our dinner table, bread continues to be a sign that God journeys with us and is present to our lives.
Prayer
--------------
Bread of Life, feed my hunger for your presence and feed our neighbors through your Body, the Church. Amen