Jesus -
After hearing about John the Baptist’s death, you withdrew to a deserted place by Yourself. When the crowds heard of John the Baptist’s death, they followed You there.
In that deserted place, You had compassion and cured the sick. You fed the crowds through Your disciples, and all ate and all were filled.
May we follow You to our lives’ deserted places - places filled with death, loss, confusion, concern, fear, and grief - for You are already there waiting to meet us.
May we receive compassion from You in our deserted places, and may we receive Your healing presence.
May we learn how to feed one another in our deserted places - trusting that our five loaves and our two fish are abundantly enough.
May we see miracles as evenings descend upon our deserted places - miracles that remind us of Your compassion, healing, and nourishment.
Amen.