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.
One of my favorite gospel stories is the one 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. One time 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, he 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, and 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. We hoped to fill 160 bags, and instead gave 201! 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 all have days in which we 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 in the Trinity community who can and will share what we have. Our energy, optimism, cheerfulness, and determination are here if you need someone to lean on, and when we are depleted, we will in turn look to you.
Together we can pull through anything. This is an amazing community, and I am grateful for you all.
Thanksgiving blessings to you all!
