Scripture Scribbles: June 19, 2022

the Gospel

Luke 9:11b-17

Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God,

and he healed those who needed to be cured.

As the day was drawing to a close,

the Twelve approached him and said,

"Dismiss the crowd

so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms

and find lodging and provisions;

for we are in a deserted place here."

He said to them, "Give them some food yourselves."

They replied, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have,

unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people."

Now the men there numbered about five thousand.

Then he said to his disciples,

"Have them sit down in groups of about fifty."

They did so and made them all sit down.

Then taking the five loaves and the two fish,

and looking up to heaven,

he said the blessing over them, broke them,

and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.

They all ate and were satisfied.

And when the leftover fragments were picked up,

they filled twelve wicker baskets.

the devotion

A lovely priest encouraged me during confession, “We offer what we have, which is imperfect.”

I had poured my heart out describing the fear and anxiety I feel about sharing my experience of God’s intimate presence and work in my life - especially in my most familiar relationships - when I myself am often so far from radiating the perfect love of God. As Father looked at me intently, the Holy Spirit affirmed his words in my heart. Yes, this is exactly how God chooses to create life, to feed the hungry, to heal the sick, to work His goodness. With us and through us.

Ours is the God of invitation and participation.

Ours is the God of every little detail.

Today, on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, I am overwhelmed by the gentle, intimate way he works to heal and feed us with his own body. And by the Word which reveals that this was always the plan in every little detail. The priesthood. Bread and wine. Body and blood. From the beginning He has been unfolding this gift for us to be restored to him and fed by him in the most powerful and literal way possible. And he has chosen to work through the ages toward this beautiful design through what we surrender to him in trust and love.

Jesus, take what I have. It is not enough to feed everyone who is hungry here. But in your hands, blessed and broken, it will yield incredible abundance.

And they all ate and were satisfied.
And when the leftover fragments were picked up they filled 12 wicker baskets.

Today’s devotion was written by Lucia Parker