Loaves & Fishes

 

Loaves & Fishes

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”  John 6:9

That verse comes from John’s version of the great miracle of the feeding of the 5,000.  John is the only Gospel writer who provides the detail that the five loaves and two fish came from a boy.  To me, that detail deepens the meaning of the miracle. 

One of the promises that I made at my ordination to the diaconate was that I would faithfully pray the Liturgy of the Hours.  The Liturgy of the Hours, prayed at various hours of the day consists of psalms, a Scripture reading and other prayers for God’s people.  It is a devotion that assures that the Church is continuously praying for the salvation of souls and the greater Glory of God throughout each day.  Morning Prayer starts each day with Psalm 95.  Most translations of verse 7 say: “If today you hear the voice of the Lord”.  But the translation used in the Liturgy of the Hours states: “Today listen to the voice of the Lord”.  Do you see what’s missing?  It is the word “if”.  I like that because of the bold confidence it portrays in stating as fact that the Lord does speak to us each day.

If is a little word, but that little word has been a huge obstacle for many in realizing their hopes and dreams.  It can prevent us from hearing or responding to the Lord’s voice.  It can be used to minimize one’s value or contribution.  We say things to ourselves or to God, or to others like, “If only I was smarter, or more beautiful, or better at whatever” (fill in the blank from your own experience). 

Yesterday, while hiking the riverside trail at The Dells of the Eau Claire River, on a beautiful autumn afternoon, I came across the sign, pictured above, affixed to a bench.  It seems likely that the parents of Buckley Zarda donated the cost of the bench to honor the memory of their child. 

I stopped to read the sign although I don’t know why.  I probably walked right past a couple of dozen other benches placed all along that same trail.  I find no shame in admitting that tears welled up.  The simple statement is one that touches the heart of any parent.  Lest you are beginning to think that I have wandered too far off trail, let’s go back to the boy with the loaves and fish and the missing “if”.   

Never underestimate the gifts that God has given you or others.  There should be no “if” in regards to that.  With God, we are always enough.  One of the most precious gifts is time.  I suspect that Buckley’s parents wish deeply that they had more time with him.  But, in their own words, Daddy loves him and Mommy loves him.  Buckley was and is loved.  Buckley no doubt in my heart loves Daddy and Mommy.  His gift, his loaves and fishes, is love.  I wonder how many hearts who know Daddy and Mommy and Buckley know love better for his life, regardless of how short or long it was.  And this simple sign on a trailside bench helps spread that love to any others who pause and read it.  That love is enough for God to break into enough pieces to feed a multitude.

His Peace <><

Deacon Dan          

P.S.

I will be leaving on a 10-day pilgrimage shortly, so this will be the final post in Embers until I return.  I will pray for you and your intentions; please pray for me and my fellow pilgrims.