Friday 3rd April Message
Dear Reader
Yesterday I asked you to look at a coin and note the letters on the reverse side (tails) I should have said the obverse side (heads)
I clearly don’t know my heads from my tails.
Isn’t it amazing to observe the better side of human nature? The kindness, generosity and dedication of so many individuals and groups in this time of crisis is truly wonderful.
Last night we stood in the garden and clapped in appreciation at the many workers who in normal times would barley receive a second thought. In our congregation too we have angels who work in the NHS and they, along with their colleagues and others in different occupations, deserve the highest praise.
Isn’t it the case that we lament at times the depths of human wickedness when we hear and see the atrocious deeds, and we are disturbed at the inventiveness and skill with which we inflict pain and suffering on our fellow humans, animals and creatures of every kind and indeed our planet itself.
Today though, I would like us to consider the feeding of the multitude a story we find in the Gospels. What happened, a miracle or what? How could so little feed so many?
Often overlooked is the fact that the five loaves and two fish belonged to the boy. The disciples didn’t pinch them and then bring them to Jesus, the boy along with the disciples came to Jesus willingly and together, and it seems to me that the boy probably offered what he had.
If what happened that day was a miracle of the supernatural type then it was truly amazing for all who witnessed it, but it would never, and has never, as far as I know, ever happened again.
It is not, in my view, a lesser ‘miracle’ but a better one, that if what happened that day was a sharing of pooled resources that enabled so many to be fed then surely this is a greater miracle and one that can be repeated many times in many places.
You may ask and ponder the problem of evil in the world and how this squares with God who is love, so I ask you also to ponder the nature and source of good that we see and experience too.
Today I ask you to think/meditate on these things
God bless you!
Jim
JBoag@churchofscotland.org.uk
JOHN 6: 9-13
“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
Recommended Posts
Thought for the day – Sunday 21 June
June 21, 2020
Thought for the day – Saturday 20 June
June 20, 2020
Thought for the day – Wednesday 17 June
June 17, 2020