Thought for the Week from the Rev David Jones

Happy birthday to Danica May Camacho the seventh billion baby born last week in Manila.

 

 

Since 1880 the world population has doubled and doubled again and looks to increase to nine billion by the middle of this century. With this escalation comes the challenge that basic needs of food, water and security are met and that little Danica can grow up in a just and fair world.

The debates of how to accomplish this have been aired for generations and seem to have got nowhere as many continue to live in abject poverty while, as the demonstration at St Paul’s has highlighted many live in extreme, almost obscene wealth by comparison.

A boy with five loaves and two fishes was moved to give up his packed lunch when he realised that Jesus’ disciples were unable to feed a large crowd who were hungry and tired. The disciples were in a panic, wringing their hands in despair and even scoffing him for offering such a meagre amount of food when there were so many to feed.

Jesus however welcomed the boy, accepted his gift and the miraculous feeding of the five thousand occurred. While the miraculous of this story is not to be doubted – the generosity of this boy is to be truly celebrated.

In this complex world where there are monetary issues that most of us find beyond our comprehension this story is so easy to understand. If those in our world who have so much are willing to share with those who have not then Danica May Camacho and all the children of the world will live to see their children and grandchildren grow in peace and prosperity.

Click here to find out more about The Rev. David Jones.