Did you know that the only story shared in ALL FOUR GOSPELS (besides the resurrection) is the miracle of the loaves and fishes? That time Jesus sat down, broke bread with thanksgiving, and passed around the meager offering of five loaves and two fish (from a child, in one telling). These gifts surely were plainly and physically and tangibly and measurably NOT enough to feed the present masses of thousands of tired hungry people. And yet… they were satisfied and had leftovers. Twelve whole baskets.

Whatever happened that day to achieve this, it is a lesson in reality. That is, it is a lesson about multiple realities (or, our stories of reality) and the choosing of which reality we will trust.  We can choose to see only the great chasm, the lack, the entrenched challenges of our day. Or, we can sit down. Pray. Thank. Share. Trust. Nourish and be nourished. Together.

I have developed the habit of sharing with my clergy friends that, at Eden, “every day is a loaves and fishes day.” To me, this means being soberly realistic about the ongoing material challenges we face, even as we so palpably feel the joy of expanding community renewal. And, it means praying, trusting, thanking, sharing. Together.

While this is not a resurrection story per se, it IS a story about the reality of power. God’s power to surprise us not just emotionally or spiritually, but in this material reality so grounded in the spiritual.

We are all facing demanding and challenging times, as is this church and much of the Church Universal. In the good company of Christ’s fellowship, let us choose to sit and pray, eat, and share. Let us choose to live in the reality of what is beyond our sight or strength. Jesus has breathed upon us this very power, should we choose to take it in…

In Christ’s Peace,
Pastor Jacki

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
     —Hebrews 11:1-3