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Background
 In Matthew 14 we
read that 5,000 men,
plus women and
children, were fed
on five loaves and
two fish. For
purposes of this
reflection, think
about that being
20,750 people. The
feeding of 20,750
may be a new slant
on a familiar Bible
story for you. The
numbers are
calculated this way:
We might speculate
that perhaps 500 of
those men were
single or did not
bring their
families. That means
that 4,500 of them
did have their wives
present — another
4,500 people —
plus an average of
2.5 children per
family or 11,250
children, for a
total crowd of
20,750. Nothing is
added to or taken
from Jesus' miracle.
Rather, this
perspective might
help you look at a
very familiar text
in a whole new way
and recognize more
fully God's kind of
hospitality.
Reading
The
Feeding of the
20,750
Matthew 14:15–21
Reflection
With
one exception,
nobody thought there
would be enough to
go around. Even if
the loaves were
six-foot long
party-size submarine
sandwiches, the fish
40-pound tunas, and
the disciples
practiced FHB
(Family Hold Back —
as when unexpected
guests drop in at
dinner time), the
five loaves and two
fish would never
feed 20,750 men,
women, and children.
After all,
hospitality is one
thing; miracles are
another.
"Feed
them," said
Jesus. And feed them
they did. Every last
person there,
including the
disciples.
Most
of us need only to
pull something out
of the freezer or
make the weekly trip
to the grocery store
and, with a little
planning, we're
ready to feed
ourselves and our
families. We can
even extend our
hospitality to
relatives and
friends from time to
time.
By
the same token, most
of us don't have
20,750 friends
coming for dinner.
We can manage, and
even set out an
occasional feast,
because we've
limited our
hospitality to those
within our
relatively small
circle of
acquaintances.
Jesus
practices and
demonstrates a
somewhat different
approach to
hospitality. Not
only does he
miraculously feed
thousands; he also
accepts all people,
every day,
regardless of class
or status. No one is
excluded from
joining him at the
table. The place is
guaranteed; there is
always room for one
more.
Discussion
| 1. |
"I'm not
Jesus; I can't
do miracles."
How is that
statement
contrary to
Jesus'
attitude about
hospitality? |
| 2. |
The
practice of
distributing
Thanksgiving
baskets
would cease
if we
followed
Jesus'
approach to
hospitality.
What changes
would have
to happen in
your
community or
congregation
so that
everyone
could have a
permanent,
daily place
at the table
instead of
being sent a
basket once
or twice a
year? |
| 3. |
What
attitudes,
stereotypes,
prejudices
or fears
prevent you
from being
more
inclusive in
your
hospitality?
What
practical
steps can
you take to
expand your
practice of
hospitality. |
Prayer
Hospitable God, we
know that you turn
no one away. We also
know that we are
called to be your
representatives on
earth. Empower us
with your own
graciousness that we
may make room at the
table for any and
for all. Amen
Written
by Susan K. Wendorf
for Women of the
ELCA. Copyright ©
1995 Women of the
Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America.
All rights reserved.
May be reproduced
for use by Women of
the ELCA in
congregations
provided each copy
carries the
copyright notice
above. For
all other purposes, contact
us.
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