Enough Bread

Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” Mark 8:14-21

Although I would like folks to think I am a great packer, I am not. Although I have plenty of experience traveling, I still struggle to pack, often bringing too many of one thing while leaving others behind. Most often is it something I forget like a tooth brush or the hair brush, but on occasion it has been something much more critical. It is very easy to worry about all the wrong things and miss the big picture.

Jesus was again in a boat with his disciples. As they leave the shore someone realizes that they didn't pack the provisions right and there is little bread. It becomes a huge issues, even when Jesus cautions them to get over it. They fall back on worrying and arguing when bread is missing as they are traveling with the savior of the world. They are in close relationship and proximity to the one who feed thousands and who has taken care of their needs. And yet they still get very human very quickly. We are invited to remember that we can trust God to provide, even today. Jesus is in the boat with us and we are not alone,

Today, I ask God to help me not to worry. May we move from anxiety to trust and from fear to believing, May we remember all of the many blessings we have, not focusing on our lack but on God's limitlessness. May we not be caught up by the petty lack but may we be moved by compassion to share with others in true need. And may our small acts be witness to God's love and power in the world today.