Inspired by lyrics to “Letting Go of Holding On” by Mario Friedel & Richard Mekdeci:
“I’m letting go of holding on. God is my shepherd, I shall not want. I’m letting go of holding on, seeking first the kingdom of God.
I let go of the feelings that feed on lack and greed. I let go of the reasons keeping me in need. I let go of the fear that there’s never enough and I stop holding on, to what is not love.
We breathe in, we breathe out, it’s all give and take. They’re one with each other, for all of goodness’ sake.
The loaves and the fishes, were blessed then released and barely enough, turned into a feast.”
Responsive Reading for March 21
“When there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, [Jesus] summoned the disciples and said, ‘My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.’ His disciples answered him, ‘Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?’ Still he asked them, ‘How many loaves do you have?’ Seven, they replied” (Mk. 8:1-5).
I’m letting go of holding on. God is my shepherd, I shall not want. I’m letting go of holding on, seeking first the kingdom of God.
“He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute . . . to the crowd. They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over—seven baskets. There were about four thousand people” (Mk. 8:6-9).
I’m letting go of holding on. The loaves and the fishes, were blessed then released and barely enough turned into a feast.
At another time and place, when Jesus “saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. By now it was already late . . . . “He asked them, ‘How many loaves do you have? Go and see.’ . . they said, ‘Five loaves and two fish.’ Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to (his) disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. Those who ate (of the loaves) were five thousand men” (Mk. 6:38-44).
I’m letting go of holding on. I let go of the fear that there’s never enough and I stop holding on to what is not love.
At another time and place, the disciples “had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them . . . . [Jesus asked,] . . . ‘Do you not yet understand . . . . Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?’ They answered him, ‘Twelve.’ ‘When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?’ They answered (him), ‘Seven.’ He said to them, ‘Do you still not understand?’” (Mk. 8:14-21).
I’m letting go of holding on. The loaves and the fishes, were blessed then released and barely enough turned into a feast.