Pastor Pagel: Every little bit helps
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?”
From Pastor Jacqui Pagel, Bishop’s Associate for Candidacy and Faith Formation
John 6:1-14 tells the story of the little boy who offers his lunch, and then 5,000 people are fed. That this very popular story shows up three different places in the Bible tells us that something like this must have happened.
Each time this story shows up, I find myself wondering about the boy’s mother. Did she pack his lunch every day? Was he getting the leftovers from last night’s dinner? Did she yell at him as he ran out the door and make him come back because he forgot his lunch?
If the supervising adult had been slacking, we might have missed an amazing event. Doing little everyday things sets the stage for miracles to occur.
We do our part and Jesus does the rest. Each of us gets to contribute to everyday miracles. The itinerary of this COVID- 19 journey is blank in some spots. The destination date is not set. We don’t know if we will have enough food, toilet paper, and patience. We do know that little things matter.
To be sure, we are in this together. God is with us, Emmanuel. Enjoy home. Let your neighbor know you left a roll of toilet paper at their front door. Call that person who has been on your mind all week.
Miracles happen. Miracles happened. Miracles will happen. We do what we can, when we can.
Thanks be to God,
Rev. Jacqui Pagel
Bishop’s Associate for Candidacy and Faith Formation