Feeding of the Masses

Today is the day after Thanksgiving when feeding the the lost, least and lowly in society isn't on people's minds because, after all, Thanksgiving came and went with all the do-gooders feeding the homeless and poor yesterday so that America's collective conscience, if it had one, could be assuaged from any responsibility is should have by a mere handful of people helping those who need the most. The day after Thanksgiving isn't about caring for the poor and homeless because typically on Black Friday it's more important to indulge in self indulgence instead of self-sacrifice.

Today at the Open Door Community in Atlanta, Georgia a familiar lesson in Luke's gospel was read on this Black Friday as it opened it's doors once again to feed those who are forgotten by sale pitches and discounted bargains. It is as though this season is geared more towards materialism the incarnating Christ to one another.

The lesson comes from Luke 9:12-17 and let me try to type it down as it was re-read to have meaning and significance right now...

As the day declined, the twelve said, "dismiss the crowd so they can go to Krogers and Publix for something to eat, and find lodging at the Clairmont Hotel for the night. For Ponce de Leon Avenue is in the middle of nowhere"

"You feed them," Jesus said.

They said, "We couldn't scape up more than two turkey's and five sweet potatoes - unless, of course, you want us to go to town ourselves and buy food for everyone." (There were more than five thousand people in the crowed.)

But he went ahead and directed his disciples, "sit down in groups about six (six in the number of people who can sit at one of the tables at the Open Door Community for eating). They did what he said, and soon the poor and homeless guests had a seat. He took the two turkey's and five sweet potatoes, lifted his face in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the turkey's and sweet potatoes to the disciples to hand out to the crowd. After the people had eat all their fill, twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered up to make soup for the soup kitchen.

Today that community and nameless others incarnated this gospel lesson and embodied feeding those who come them homeless and hungry. We become Christs hands as we bake turkey's and sweet potatoes to feed those who cannot afford to eat in this land of plenty and excess.

Lord, I pray for a day when you Kingdom is alive and well here on earth. That we come to realize that there is enough for all people of the world to eath their fill. May be put aside our natural greedy desires to serve you in all people. Amen.