Jesus, and not Jamie Oliver
By Fr David Shepherd, Vicar of St Matthew's Church, Oxhey
We are good at making a little go a long way. Extra people turn up at parish meals, yet we always seem to have plenty and go away well filled.
Jesus' great catering challenge was the feeding of the 5,000 with five loaves and two fishes. What can we learn from the miracle?
Jesus had heard news of John's beheading.
'He withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.'
Shaken and grief stricken, he wanted to reflect on the implications. Jesus gets the balance between doing and being right, spending time with his father in prayer.
Unable to be alone for long, Jesus' time of retreat enabled him to meet the crowd with compassion, to 'suffer' with them. Prayerful withdrawal is the essential root of compassionate Christian ministry.
When we are apart from God, we become burnt out and ineffective.
Concerned for the material needs of a hungry crowd, far from the sources of food, Jesus told the disciples to feed them. 'Five loaves and two fishes' was enough given the willingness to share and give.
'Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowd.'
Being broken and given away sums up Jesus' ministry. The empty nothingness of death gives way to God's excessive generosity.
'All ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over, twelve baskets full.'
Whenever we share, as Christians, in a meal - be it a parish social or the Eucharist, at Harvest, Christmas or on an ordinary day - there are always echoes of the wonderful occasion that was the feeding of the 5,000. We too are led to share God's generous provision with others.
 Father David Shepherd
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'...we feel it's important that the Church should keep up with modern technology!'
NOTICE BOARD
On 10 November, there will be the usual act of Remembrance at 11am at the War Memorial in front of the church. Don't miss a great opportunity to hear Mozart's 'Requiem' in a liturgical setting at 6.30pm the same evening in church, with music performed by the Chiltern Bach Choir and Chorleywood Orchestra.
To mark the start of Advent, we meet other churches in the deanery at 6.30pm in St Michael's church for music and worship.
On Christmas Eve, come to the crib service with carols at 10.30am, followed by mince pies. Midnight Mass begins at 11.45pm, with musical items from 11.15pm.
On Christmas Day, Holy Communion (prayer book service) is at 8am, followed by Family Communion at 10am.
On 5 January, we keep the Feast of the Epiphany with Holy Communion at 8am, Sung Eucharist at 9.30am and an all age service at 11.15am.
Articles for the next edition (March) to Fr. David.
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