Saying Grace

"Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, 'Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.' So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat." - John 6:11-13

"Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from Thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. " - Prayer before meals (Catholic)

In our family, we traditionally say Grace before eating dinner - and when you have young kids, it can be a daunting task to hold them off until everyone sits down and says the prayer before digging in. It's not something that comes naturally - they know we go to the grocery store, pay for the food, prepare the food and finally serve it, and it appears mom and dad do it all alone. So to say Grace to God for providing our food doesn't always mesh - and when you're hungry, it sometimes feels more like an obstacle than a quiet moment of reflection.

But we, like Jesus, know that it is through His Grace that we have what is in front of us. That it is the blessings we've been given that has afforded us the ability to purchase the food, the dishes, the electricity (or propane if it's a summer weekend) to make what's in front of us. And saying Grace allows us to recognize that fact - that the conditions were right for the wheat to grow, that the manufacturing plant that made and packaged the food was working safely, that the truck the food arrived on did so without incident that led to the food we see.

With this in mind, it's telling that Jesus too gives thanks to God for the food. That he recognizes this fact too - that all that went into the food provided to him was by the grace of his Father. And that even the son of God isn't above recognizing and giving thanks to his dad for all that's been provided.

Of course, the folks in the crowd most likely recognized Jesus alone as the source of the food - and probably were thankful (and a bit amazed) for his ability to provide for so many with so little.

It's a good reminder that we need both God and Jesus in our lives - for through both we have our fill.