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Over the next few weeks, various folks will share a devotions and reflections with the Newberry community for holiday celebrations, including Advent (a time of preparing for the return of Jesus), the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year's and Orthodox Christmas. Look for these devotions weekly or near the day of celebration. May God bless Newberry College and may God bless you!

 

Today’s Thanksgiving devotion is part of the Holiday Devotion Series from Newberry College. The Rev. Dr. Wayne Kannaday '75, professor emeritus of religion and philosophy, shares today’s devotion, titled “One Time When Jesus Hosted Thanksgiving.” As you read today’s devotion, keep in mind the story from the Gospel of John, where Jesus feeds the 5,000 (John 6:1-14).

Listen to this devotion, read by Campus Pastor David Coffman '97.

Traditional American Thanksgiving feasts feature the cornucopia. That horn-a-plenty placed at the center of the table signifies that more than enough turkey, dressing, beans, bread, casseroles, cranberries, pound cake and pumpkin pie will be set before you today so you may eat to your heart’s content. There will be more than enough to fill you. Indeed, you’ll probably be back for more after the football game or a nap. And there will still be leftovers.

Leftovers also feature in the story of the time Jesus hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for some 5,000 guests. Now, admittedly, they were not exactly invited for dinner. Jesus had invited them to gather around to hear his teachings and experience his signs, all of which encouraged the crowds as they bore witness to God acting among them, ushering God’s kingdom reign right into the midst of Rome’s empirical rule.

But although the crowds never wearied of receiving Jesus’ words or healing touch, they did eventually grow hungry. And out in the middle of nowhere, though, there was no Domino's or DoorDash to order. But it turns out that one child among them had brought a lunch (probably packed by a parent) and he offered it to Jesus. It wasn’t much, a couple of fish sticks and five bagels, but anything given to the Lord is more than enough to get the job done. After all, with a handful of dirt God made a man. Out of a tongue-tied outcast God made the liberator of Israel. Using a shy betrothed maiden he became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth. Stretching lunch for a crowd? Child’s play, at least for the Child of God.

And so Jesus took what he had received, blessed it, broke it, and shared it with those famished folks and they, we are told, ate all that they wanted until they were satisfied. Then (and only then), so as not to waste anything, Jesus asked his disciples to collect the leftovers. And they ended up with twelve Tupperwares full!

Leftovers, for some, are the favorite flavor of Thanksgiving, the turkey sandwich or warmed over supper later in the day. The leftovers at Jesus’ Thanksgiving meal also stand out as a highlight. They represent a central truth about the nature of God: that ours is a God not of scarcity but abundance.

And, my fellow Newberrians, that remains the Gospel truth today. We drink not from the Maxwell House cup, good to the last drop; but from an overflowing chalice. We eat not from the scraps that fall from the rich person’s table (trickle down economics?), but from the heavenly feast prepared for us. All of us. And not just “us,” but “them,” too. In a venue adorned with justice and peace, we sit at a table where all of us — bodies and souls — are welcome.

So come, take your fill of this boundless grace. Receive all that you need.

And don’t worry. There will be leftovers.

Let us pray: “The eyes of all look to you, O Lord, and you give us our food in due season. You open your hand, and satisfy the needs of every living thing.” Help us not to fear scarcity but to trust you as the gracious God of all abundance, and to live accordingly with our own displays of generous love and service. Amen.