Abundant Provision, Abundant Reconciliation
““Come,” he said, “let us go off by ourselves to some place where we will be alone and you can rest for a while.””
Behold the radiant beauty of Harry Clarke's stained glass masterpiece, installed in St Senan's Church in Kilrush County Clare nearly a century ago. Here, St. Bridget stands resplendent, her figure aglow with divine light, as she ministers to those in need. The vibrant hues and intricate details draw our eyes to a scene of joyous service and abundant love.
In this luminous tableau, we see the continuing work of Christ flowing through His people across generations. Just as Jesus fed the multitude with five loaves and two fish, here St. Bridget offers sustenance to the hungry. Her hands, like those of the disciples distributing bread to the five thousand, become instruments of God's miraculous provision.
The diversity of those gathered around St. Bridget speaks to the reconciling power of Christ's love. Young and old, rich and poor, the healthy and the infirm - all find welcome in her presence. This beautiful unity echoes Paul's words to the Ephesians: "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility."
As we gaze upon this window, let our hearts be lifted in joy and wonder. For we too stand in this glorious tradition, called to be conduits of God's abundant grace and agents of His reconciling love. In our own lives, in ways great and small, we have the privilege of continuing this divine work - feeding the hungry, healing the broken, and bridging divides with Christ's all-encompassing love.
May this image inspire us to see the world around us with new eyes - eyes that recognize the potential for miracles in our midst, that see beyond the barriers that divide us, and that perceive the image of God in every person we encounter. For in Christ, we are all beloved, all reconciled, all sent to share the overflowing bounty of God's love.
"For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility."
— Ephesians 2:14
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Texts for This Week
Prayer
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Scriptures
Isaiah 57:14–21
Psalm 22:23–31
Ephesians 2:11–22
Mark 6:30–44
Blessed Bread
Margaret Rizza's "Blessed Bread" offers a meditative musical backdrop to our reflection. Its Taizé-like simplicity and repetition create a contemplative atmosphere, inviting us into a deeper connection with the divine.
The repeated lyrics, "Blessed bread, everlasting life; sacred cup, eternal salvation," resonate deeply with our gospel reading of the feeding of the five thousand. They remind us of Christ's abundant provision, both physical and spiritual.
As the gentle melody and harmonies wash over us, we're invited to reflect on several questions:
How can we create space for rest and reflection in our busy lives, following Jesus' example of withdrawing to a quiet place?
Where do we see divisions in our community that need Christ's reconciling power?
How can we, with faith, allow God to multiply our small offerings to meet the needs of many?
In what ways can we embody God's compassion and healing in our daily interactions?
This music fills us with a renewed sense of our identity as God's beloved, nourished by His grace, reconciled through Christ, and called to share that nourishment and reconciliation with a hungry and divided world.
