At first, those who had gathered found the ritual strange and unsettling. But, in the simple moment of connecting with their world, fully, directly, devotedly, they began to draw a new sense of strength and peace. Miracles, they realized, were not solely dispensed and controlled from the heavens, as the priests had claimed, but infused their entire world.

When they were finished, Jesus observed those before him anew. He noticed their jutting hip bones and sunken cheeks. Famished, they were pale and lacking in vigor. Even the effort of Communion seemed to have taxed them.

Lifting his voice, he said, “Is it not time for the morning meal?”

The people’s eyes went wide, then their heads fell. A man sitting next to Jesus leaned over and whispered, “We are ashamed not to have enough sustenance with which to honor you,” he said.

Jesus frowned. “The meal is not meant for me, but for all of us,” he assured the man.

Then a memory came to him, and with it, an idea.

“Everyone. Go to your homes. Gather whatever food you have and bring it here,” he urged.

The villagers exchanged baffled looks. One woman said, “But I have only a narrow strip of dried meat and some tallow.”

Jesus held her eye. “Then bring that.”

While the people disappeared inside their homes, Jesus asked for a fire to be built and a large pot filled with water.

Soon people returned and tossed their contributions into the circle—withered olives, a handful of beans, a block of pig fat, dried fruit, stale flatbread.

The people then retook their seats and, gazing upon the small heap of food, felt their mouths begin to water.

While they waited for the pot to boil, Jesus shared stories of his days as a shepherd. He told the villagers of wily cobras, endless caverns, and cities that rose into the sky like vines. As he spoke, a group of children gathered at his feet, their eyes lit by his tales. Jesus smiled at their enthusiasm and gave each a chuck under the chin.

Ruth noticed his tenderness and the smile that animated his face. Clearly he felt at home in his disguise. And no doubt was relishing the human contact that had been missing to him while living in the caves.

Jesus then told the crowd of the tragic night when the ewe that had birthed Anna had passed away. And how sorrowful he had been, but how equally amazed he was at the power of her body to provide life—going so far as to feed not only her own offspring, but eight shepherds as well!

As he spoke, Jesus diced the scraps of food and tossed them in the boiling pot. He then placed all the bread in a basket, which he instructed the children to pass around the circle.

Those villagers who remained skeptical of Jesus stood off at a distance, scowling at his words and speaking under their breath.