We Are Hungry

When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said,

“This is a deserted place and it is already late;

dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages

and buy food for themselves.”

Jesus said to them, “There is no need for them to go away;

give them some food yourselves.”

But they said to him,

“Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.”

Then he said, “Bring them here to me,”

and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass.

Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,

he said the blessing, broke the loaves,

and gave them to the disciples,

who in turn gave them to the crowds.

Matthew 14: 13-21

To the tune PASSION CHORALE (“Oh Sacred Head Surrounded”):

The spirit, Lord, is willing,
but still the flesh is weak,
a hungry satchel filling
before it goes to seek
for hopes that bear fulfilling
and light in darkness bleak,
'til wand'ring steps all stilling
we come to hear you speak.

You, Christ, are worth the searching:
refreshing as the dew.
This desert of our thirsting
is verdant earth in you.
We give our all to purchase
this treasure that renews,
and deeply drink your mercy,
but we are hungry, too.

Should we again go wand'ring
to ease our hunger's pain,
our bond with you, Lord, sund'ring
and losing all we've gained?
To go forever wond'ring
what would be if we'd stayed?
Can you not stop our hung'ring
and hold us fast today?

We, at your feet reclining,
behold you blessing bread,
and breaking, multiplying
the gift for which we pled.
We come at your inviting
and by your grace are fed,
so we can rest, delighting,
where all our hopes have led.