ACC ~ John 6 v12

SCATTERED BREAD, GATHERED CHURCH

DIDACHE: Now concerning the Eucharist, give thanks as follows…. concerning the broken bread: “We give you thanks, our Father, for the life and knowledge which you have made known to us through Jesus, your servant; to you be the glory forever. Just as this broken bread was scattered upon the mountain and then was gathered together and became one, so may your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom; for yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever.” DIDACHE 9.1-4. [1]

[1] AF 259-61.

GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES MORE THAN WE NEED

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: But it was not because he had the ability to multiply it [the loaves of bread and the fish] that he did thus multiply them, but rather because there would then be enough food for those who would eat them. His miracle, therefore, was not in proportion to his own power, but rather in proportion to the hunger of those who were hungry. For if his miracle were to be proportional to his power, there would be no way to measure how much his power overcame. Rather, his miracle was in proportion to the hunger of thousands, and it surpassed the number of the twelve baskets. In the case of all artisans, the desire of those who seek their services is greater that the ability of the artisans, for the artisans are unable to work in line with the desires of those who need them. For God, however, his activity surpasses [the desires of] those who need him. [He said], “Gather up the pieces so that absolutely nothing may be lost,” so that it not seem concerning him that he had made use of an apparition; but when a remainder for a day or two was left, they might believe that he had truly acted, and that this was not some vacuous vision. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 12.4. [1]

[1] CB709:78.