Tuesday, January 29
Colombia
Give them something to eat.” That is Jesus’ categorical imperative to his disciples in the face of their lack of solidarity with the weary and hungry multitude. This text, read broadly, makes us rethink the way our churches are called to attend to the primary needs of communities in extreme poverty and need. As a church, we might think it would be enough to tell these communities to go to the government to resolve their needs and then forget about them, but then we hear once again the words of Jesus, “Give them something to eat.”
“Hopes and Fishes”
We see reflected in this Gospel text the far-removed community of California, in the Chocó region of Colombia. The people there have organized themselves—resisting the ravages of violence from Colombia’s many armed groups—to work for their daily food. Their small project called “Hopes and Fishes” has allowed the church in California to help families generate their own food. After digging a pond, they sowed it with fish and continue today to harvest from that initial seeding. The project is neither to give a fish nor to teach a person to fish; rather, it is to cultivate fish day after day so that there is always food.
—Rev. Diego Higuita, executive secretary, Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia
Let us join in prayer for:
Partners/Ministries
Presbyterian Church of Colombia: Jesus Vargas Cuesta, moderator, Rev. Diego Higuita, executive secretary • Reformed University of Colombia: Rev. Milciades Púa, rector • Reformed Synod: Elder Martha Raquel Niño Durán, moderator
Presbytery Partnerships: Presbytery of Chicago, Presbytery of the Miami Valley, Presbytery of Tres Rios, and Presbytery of Winnebago, with the IPC
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Nancy Boxman, Board of Pensions
Rev. Debbie Braaksma, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Let us pray
We give thanks to God for the community of California and for the example they offer us in organizing themselves in order to give food to the people. We give thanks for their courage and faith in resisting the forces of evil and working for good. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 54; 146
First Reading Isaiah 48:12-21 (22)
Second Reading Galatians 1:18-2:10
Gospel Reading Mark 6:1-13
Evening Psalms 28; 99
