Five Loaves and Two Fish – John Larson, UK 2011
“A miracle is when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. A miracle is when one plus one equals a thousand”
. Or rather, in the scene we arrive at this Sunday in the Gospel according to Mark … a miracle is when 2 + 5 = 5000 (Mark 6:30-44).
As I reflected upon the passage, I explored a myriad of paintings that have emerged from the contemplation of his scene through the ages. Many highlight Jesus, at the centre of the miracle. Many emphasize the crowd in number and hunger. In the end, I selected the contemporary painting above because it narrows the focus to the five loaves and two fish – completely inadequate and yet transformed into abundance, with the human dedication multiplied by the divine intention to work good.
So much to explore in this scene, in the dynamics of human life, and in the challenges and surprises of faith! It is a particularly appropriate passage to consider as this is the Sunday we are asked to pray for the work of relief and development we support through PWS&D http://www.werespond.ca. What are our modest contributions in the face of global hunger and injustice? As with the loaves and fish, they are declarations that we believe in the impossible, by the grace of God, that we believe hunger can be met, that all can be gathered in life of body and soul.
Albert Einstein once said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” As Christians we are a people who are ‘other’!
If you are in the area, we warmly invite you to join us. Certified child care is offered during the service and a programme for young children also. After the service a time of fellowship over tea or coffee, so please linger if you can and allow us to introduce ourselves more fully. During this service we will celebrate Holy Communion, and all are welcome ‘who love the Lord a little, and yearn to love him more’.
There is free parking on the streets around (please note that the time-of-day restrictions on Clergy Street north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays) and in the surface civic lot just behind the church off Queen Street. There is a wheelchair lift inside the doors to St. Andrew’s Hall from the church parking lot mid way along Clergy Street, and hearing assist devices are available upon request from an usher.
Have a look at the Order of Service and bulletin below, and consider each hymn and prayer and announcement a personal invitation to join us in Christian worship, community and service.
Next Sunday we will consider a challenging passage in which we are told Jesus could not perform a miracle! (Mark 6:1-6)