John 6: 1-15
     Fragments


     "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost."  Moving beyond a discussion of the miracle of the loaves and the fishes, I find genuine social teaching in this reading. Whomever might say that scripture that's 2000 years old has no bearing on us today, should read this. This reading is a directive for us as Americans if not a condemnation.


     The bounty of the world is enormous. In a world where incredible amounts of grain are used simply to rasie cattle, we as Americans are huge consumers. We are 5% of the world's population and yet we consume a disproportionately large amount of food and sadder still, waste a geat deal of food.  We also consume a quarter of the planets energy. 


    On one level this speaks horrors about our ability to share what we have, a model held high today in the Gospel reading. At the same time we are being given a command that we should not waste even what is left over.


      This is not news, there is a growing list of organizations and groups ( like Second Harvest ) that gather left over food from restaurants and other sources to feed the poor and needy. There is also the opportunity to donate to local food banks in our town ( Long Island Council of Churches )  and probably in our very own church.  If we are to take our spiritual growth seriously and look to the word of God as a directive or guide to how we are supposed to live, then we must take some action, in our personal lives and in the world at large. I am reminded two bumper stickers I've seen "ACT LOCALLY, THINK GLOBALY" AND "LIVE SIMPLY SO OTHERS MAY SIMPLY LIVE". I think we can make that, Eat simply as well.


        We have the directive, take a smalll step in doing what we should be doing.