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Loaves and Fishes by John August Swanson
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Dear Friends, Neighbors and Members of St. Cyprian's,
Yesterday at the Wednesday morning Eucharist, we read the following gospel lesson:
John 6:1-15 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, 'Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?' He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, 'Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.' One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 'There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?' Jesus said, 'Make the people sit down.' Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, 'Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.' So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, 'This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.' When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. Last night, at the St. Cyprian's Kitchen Team meeting we reflected on this text. We don't usually talk about scripture overtly at these meetings, but because of the obvious connection to feeding hungry people, sharing, and making much out of very little, I thought, "why not?" There are many ways to interpret this miracle, famously called the "feeding of the five thousand" or "feeding of the multitudes." Interestingly, it is the only miracle that appears in all four canonical gospels. At St. Cyprian's we are accustomed to making a dollar out of 15 cents. We also aspire to be part of the lives of those around us (rich, poor, young, believer and nonbeliever, old and in between), because we believe that there's something uniquely meaningful about the experience of being together. If we can do this regularly and well at Turk & Lyon, perhaps reconciliation and harmony may gain greater hope in other corners of the world, too. The story of the loaves and fishes for me is about offering what we have, however limited, for the common good. Whether something supernatural happened, or whether the generosity and selflessness of the young boy moved others in the crowd to share what they had hidden away, is interesting to ponder. Jesus's choice to withdraw seems to amplify the importance of that one anonymous person offering what they had to give. While we are used to making a lot out of very little, I hope we are also getting better at giving thanks for the gifts that are being offered for the pursuit of our shared visions. I invite you to take a moment, hold St. Cyprian's in your thoughts, and consider a particular gesture of goodwill, generosity, and sacrifice that has moved you. Perhaps you were the person that stepped forward or you saw another step up with their support. Sit with that offering for a minute or so. Ask yourself how you may be called to respond. Does this move you to want to send an email or write a note, make a phone call, give a donation, or perhaps invite someone else to notice that gesture as well?  | | The 5000 by Eularia Clarke |
See you soon at Turk and Lyon! Peace,
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Cyprian's Table Gatherings
In September and October, members, neighbors and friends of St. Cyprian's & Cyprian's arc are gathering in homes throughout San Francisco to celebrate the work we do together, learn about our vision, and commit to supporting us in 2013.
To receive an invite to Cyprian's Table Gathering,
send an email to turkandlyon@gmail.com
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St. Cyprian's& Cyprian's arc have active Facebook pages where you can read more about what's happening at Turk & Lyon. Please "Like" our pages and share with your network.
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Help make worship happen at St. Cyprian's Want to read, greet folks, acolyte, and/or lead a prayer in church on Sunday at St. Cyprian's? email Hannah & she'll set you up:
hcornthw@gmail.com or click here & sign up online.
Want to sing or play an instrument?
Email on Sunday music coordinator, Nikola:
nikola.printz@notes.sfcm.edu
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FLOWER DONATIONS
For more information email Dustin Cole dustindc@gmail.com
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Weekly E-Mail Archives
In January, 2011 St. Cyprian's began sending weekly e-newsletters. You can find an archive of all these messages here. Forward messages and invite friends, neighbors, and distant congregants to join our list. |
St. Cyprian's is a congregation emboldened by the opportunity to engage with our energized urban neighborhood to create a community
where everyone matters.
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