Are we losing a common culture? For hundreds of years, certain Biblical ideas and stories were regularly mentioned, while hymns and religious themes in art were widely known. There were phrases and quotes which were common currency. They might not even have a strong religious connection in everyday use – we used to play a ballgame when I was young: "Matthew Mark Luke and John, next door neighbour carry on." I’m sure no one nowadays knows that. Over the past 50 years, much of this has slipped away. Politicians used to make Biblical references in their speeches, but that would be rare now.

A few concepts do live on, even if people are not always clear what they mean: you will hear mention of The Prodigal Son, and the Good Samaritan, and perhaps also the story of the lost sheep. Often people are vague about what exactly is involved (and would not want to have to define what ‘prodigal’ actually means).

But there is one Bible story that still resonates: The Feeding of the Five Thousand. You will hear that phrase, along with "five loaves and two fishes", at any event with food involved that features more than about three people. It’s not just church events, it’s been adopted for barbeques and lunch clubs and family parties. It’s part of the language now.

The original story is one of the few miracles that features in all four Gospels (as written by Matthew Mark Luke and John, see above): it tells how Jesus attracted a huge crowd to his preaching, and then he and his disciples had to work out how to feed them. ‘There is a small boy here with five barley loaves and two fish; but what is that between so many?’ But Jesus performs a miracle, and this tiny amount of food feeds the entire huge crowd, with a lot of food left over. It’s a simple story with great charm, and it is left to you the reader to imagine what that might look like.

If you start reading the Gospels in full, you might be surprised to find that there are two other versions of this story – the lesser-known Feeding of the Four Thousand. As a Biblical scholar said to me once: if it’s a good story then it will be even better if you tell it again slightly differently.

"I think it appeals to us so much because it is so very practical, down-to-earth, as well as spiritual and generous. We’ve all looked at a social event as it gets under way and been delighted so many came, but slightly panicking that we’ll run out of food for them. We’ve all been sometimes delighted and astonished that the food lasted out, that there was enough, that everyone went home happy. And that attitude of mind – generous, concerned for others, hospitable, welcoming – is surely one of the most important messages of the Gospels. Whether it’s food, or the Word of God, or blessings and grace, we want to share it, we want it to reach as many people as possible, as we know it will bring them strength and happiness."

 

Moira Redmond