“Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted placeto satisfy such a crowd?” MT 15: 29-37
“On this mountain the Lord of Hosts will provide for all peoples. “The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces.” Is 25:6-10A
In this time of Covid isolation my early mornings are spent silently watching the sun rise and begin to light up the trees and houses around me. Then the birds come. Juncos, nuthatches, cardinals, sparrows, flickers, jays, even an occasional hawk. So many different kinds! I am fortunate to be able to offer them the food they desire – it gives me great joy as they eat their fill and are satisfied.
These compelling readings for today link together to show us the desperation so many feel and the question is asked: where can we be satisfied? What or who can satisfy us?
Asked and answered: God’s love.
Imagine God’s joy in providing for us. I love the emphasis in Isaiah: The Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast - not just food and wine but juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. God goes all out!
God’s love is inclusive, feeding all even in deserted, empty places. With leftovers! No one is left out. Not the poor, not the sinner, not the lukewarm, not the “fallen away,” not the spiritually proud. No one.
God’s love is real, even practical, feeding us in our hunger until all are satisfied.
God’s love is above all tender, personal, individual, wiping away the tears from all peoples’ faces.
May we all go and do likewise.
My cup overflows.
Suzanne Braddock
Creighton University and I are old friends, first as a medical resident in a program shared with The University of Nebraska then forty plus years as a parishioner at St John’s, the campus church. Now retired from a gratifying but busy medical practice I enjoy the quiet hours and nature.
Writing these reflections is a challenge and a grace, bringing me closer to the meaning of the Scriptures and the love God wants us to understand.
