Dear Parents and Guardians,
It is Thanksgiving week, and I know I don't tell you enough how grateful I am for all of you.
This past week, Trinity's Liturgy Team hosted a really wonderful Thanksgiving Zoom Prayer Service. Just as if we were in person, we had songs, a Gospel reading, prayers and poems of gratitude, and a video of all the things our community is grateful for.
While I watched, I realized that I was in a place of true miracles. It may sound like hyperbole, but please indulge my crazy train of thought here...
Our Gospel reading was the story of Jesus multiplying the loaves and fishes. We all know that one. We grew up coloring depictions of that story in Sunday school and religion classes. Not long ago, I heard a homily that put a different spin on it.
What if actually, many, many, people in the crowd actually had brought food? But when the disciples asked if anyone had food, no one raised their hand because they didn't want to share the little they had.
It took one little child, an innocent child who hadn't yet learned selfishness, dishonesty and fear. When the crowd was asked if they had food, this child stood up. Jesus accepted the little child's sacrifice gratefully. When He held it up for the crowd to see, those in the crowd who had kept their own food hidden realized what this child had done. As the loaves and fishes were passed around, rather than take from the basket, they all put their own stash of food into the basket. Maybe this wouldn't have been exactly the same kind of miracle we think of when we read this particular story, but it would have been a miracle nonetheless. To raise this level of awareness, introspection, concern for our brothers and sisters and an ethic of care is truly a wonder to behold.
This happens at Trinity. Every time someone gives, it is multiplied through the collective action of the community. The annual Thanksgiving food drive surpassed all goals. Each person brought just what little they could - and it all added up. Like the collection of the loaves and fishes, together we can do what no one of us can do alone; we can feed a multitude.
We have been using #InThisTogether since last March. I know that in reality, many in our community are feeling alone. They are not feeling inspired by the Gospel to give more of themselves. Many feel as though we have already given all there is, and truly, we do not have any more loaves and fishes to share. If that is your case, know that there are many here who can and will share what we have. Our energy, optimism, cheerfulness and determination is here if you need someone to lean on, and when we are depleted, we will in turn look to you. Together we will come out on the other side of this well nourished and having witnessed our very own miracle.
Thanksgiving blessings to you all!
Warmly,
