2nd August, 2020.
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My dear friends,

Recent days have seen some disappointing set-backs in our country’s struggle against the Coronavirus pandemic. Our hearts go out to all in those parts of the country which have been affected by a resurgence of the virus, and especially to our St John Ambulance friends and colleagues in those districts. Historically-speaking, coping with a pandemic has always involved a mixture of progress and set-backs; but at present the overall trajectory is in the right direction, so we must take all reasonable precautions, play our part, and wait for better news.
 
In 1940 in the darkest days of the Second World War the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cosmo Gordon Lang, wrote to a woman whose husband had been captured by the Germans and was a prisoner of war: ‘Meanwhile, keep your faith, however much it may be tried, for at a time like this when we are besieged by so many distresses and doubts the one thing necessary is to keep one’s faith as men in a besieged fortress keep the well.’ Eighty years later, I think that is good advice for all of us.
 
Last week I mentioned my forthcoming book Faithful Witness to be published by SPCK in September. It has been suggested that I might also mention to you my most recent book Following Christ, which was published in April 2020 by Sacristy Press, Durham. This is a collection of my sermons and devotional addresses which I put together to mark the 30th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood in 1989 (in fact, publication took so long I have now clocked up 31 years in the priesthood and am into my 32nd year). It contains the sermon I preached in the presence of our Grand Prior, HRH the Duke of Gloucester, at the service St John held in Thaxted Parish Church to commemorate HM The Queen’s diamond jubilee in 2012. You can read some extracts of Following Christ for free at Amazon Books (search under my name), and if you look at the Sacristy Press website there is a little bit about me (including a reference to St John) and also a blog post I wrote at their request, ‘Faithful Shepherd, feed me.’

With continued prayers and kindest regards,

The Rev. Dr ROBERT BEAKEN, County Chaplain
TRINTY 8 – 2nd AUGUST 2020.
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Gospel: St Matthew, chapter 14, verses 13 – 21.
The Gospels contain several accounts of Christ’s miracle of multiplying loaves and fishes. If you look carefully, the details may have become a bit jumbled up, but it seems that the Lord performed this miracle twice, in separate places along the shore of Lake Galilee.

            We could find several layers of meaning to these miracles: (1) they were signs that Jesus was the Messiah, (2) he may have intended the miracle to be a test for his disciples, (3) providing food for so many people was a sign of the fatherly care of God for His children, and (4) the miracle with loaves and fish helped to pave the way for a far greater miracle still, Christ’s institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper.

            All of those points are true and are important. But there is one further point that I’d like to focus on this morning. The two small fish and five loaves had to come from somewhere. In one version of the story, they were offered by a little boy. His mummy had probably given them to him as his packed lunch. He doubtless heard Jesus and the disciples discussing how they were going to get enough food to feed everyone – remember, we are told there was a great crowd – and so he offered his two fish and five loaves.

            On the face of it, this was a silly offer – they weren’t going to go far amongst so many people. Jesus might have said, ‘Thanks, son, but you go off and enjoy your packed lunch, and leave the grown-ups to work out what to do.’ Instead, he took the boy’s offer very seriously. He accepted the bread and fish, looked up to heaven and said the prayer of thanksgiving, and then broke them and shared them. Not only was there enough food for everyone to share and have their fill – not just a pinch of fish and a few crumbs of bread, but a really good lunch – but there were twelve baskets-full left over, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.

            And the moral? Well, I think it is two-fold. Firstly, if the bread and fish were given by a small boy, Jesus is telling us that the faith of children is very important, and should not be scoffed by adults. I was very moved recently to read of the death of a little Italian girl, aged 12, from an incurable illness. She had a deep Christian faith, and insisted on visiting church to pray every day. She knew she wasn’t going to get better, but was full of joy with Jesus. She once said, ‘If you do not have love, growing up can be very difficult.’ I’m sure she meant both the love of her family and also the love of Jesus.

            Secondly, as I said, two fish and five small loaves were not much among so many, but Jesus took them and used them in his service. So often, we find, we serve God by small things: a little prayer offered in faith, a sin forgiven, a kind word, an act of generosity or forbearance. Yes, we can also do big things for God, and from time to time we all probably should. But for most of us, God is served in small things, regularly carried out. It is these small things that God uses, to deepen our relationship with Him, and to spread the Good News of His love.
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            The boy offered Jesus two fish and five small loaves. I wonder what we each can offer God in the week ahead?