Back to most recent IRP news • Browse archive: 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008
Refugees' cosponsors find inspiration in "loaves and fishes" meditation
The eight-member Eh Hso family, Karen ethnic refugees from Burma, arrived in Phoenix, Arizona, in January, under CWS auspices. Assisting them in Phoenix are Lutheran Social Ministry of the Southwest and cosponsor Orangewood Presbyterian Church.
Photo: Donna Buckles
|
Refugee Services of Texas (RST) hosted a lox and bagels brunch May 22 to introduce Austin-area pastors to RST's program and discuss the heavier-than-usual need for congregational cosponsors and volunteers and for furniture and household items to set up apartments for refugees arriving this summer and fall.
Kimberly Cooper, RST's Director of Church and Community Outreach, wrote the following devotion for it, based on the Bible story of the loaves and fishes "to get everyone in the right state of mind," she said.
Luke 9:10-17 – Synopsis
In this passage, Jesus welcomes the crowds and speaks to them about the kingdom of God. Late in the day, the disciples come to him and say, "Send the crowd away so that they can ... find food and lodging." But Jesus replies, "You give them something to eat." They answer, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish" to feed 5,000 men, not counting women and children. Jesus says, "Have them sit down in groups of about 50 each," takes the five loaves and two fish, thanks God for them, breaks them, and gives the pieces to the disciples to feed the people. The story concludes, "They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up 12 basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over."
Meditation
As the U.S. Refugee Program prepares to resettle large numbers of arrivals across the nation in July, August, and September, we who will receive them to our communities are gearing up for tremendous numbers of clients with great needs and great potential. On the local level, we are looking for couches, chairs, tables, pots, pans – everything to set up multiple apartments for refugees to get started with their new lives. We are looking to spread our five loaves and two fish among everyone before us.
This passage demonstrates that by the power of God it can be done. We will be tapping our local churches and communities and their vast resources, which can more than accommodate the needs of these people. Galatians 5:14 tells us, "The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Prayer
Lord, please give us the strength, the perseverance, and the patience to serve. Please expand our five loaves and two fish to all whom we serve. Bind us together as one body committed to serving refugees and immigrants on your behalf. Amen.
Back to most recent IRP news • Browse archive: 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • Back to top