Feeding the five thousand
Since 1826, Glasgow City Mission have been showing Christian care to vulnerable adults and children by fighting against poverty and disadvantage in Glasgow.
At their evening drop-in, they serve a two-course meal to up to 100 men and women affected by homelessness each weeknight. The drop-in is often the first contact they have with people who have hit a crisis point in their lives. Through relationships built up over food they can sign-post guests to day-time services.
Charlee Maasz has worked with Glasgow City Mission in a number of roles, first as Pastoral Cook, and now, Chief Executive. Charlee is particularly keen that guests are treated with real dignity at meal times, with staff and volunteers eating with those who come along in the evening, sharing conversation round the tables.
Jesus feeds the five thousand
When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.
Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, ‘Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.’
He replied, ‘You give them something to eat.’
They answered, ‘We have only five loaves of bread and two fish – unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.’ (About five thousand men were there.)
But he said to his disciples, ‘Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.’ The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
Luke 9:10-17 (NIVUK)
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