|
The feeding of the five thousand--it’s the only miracle story that is contained in all four gospels! The feeding of the five thousand—a literal manifestation of Jesus’ “I AM” statement, “I am the bread of life” which he will utter in just a few verses. The feeding of the five thousand—a symbol of the extravagant gifts that God gives us—so much more than we ever imagined.
Today, I’d like us to spend just a few moments thinking about this story. Not about Jesus wanting the disciples to feed the people. Not about the generosity of the little boy. Not about the weird other story in the reading. Today, we are going to talk about leftovers.
When do you have leftovers?
(when there is abundance)
What do you personally do with leftovers?
(make another meal, throw away?)
Why does Jesus insist on gathering everything up? “so that nothing may be lost”?
(is it “special”? is it the way we should act? Not discarding the generosity of God?)
Seasons of the Spirit suggests that this reading pushes us to ask “Who is this Jesus?” (and then to find the answer in the “I AM” statements. What does it mean for Jesus to say, “I AM the bread of life”?
(stories of provision, maybe it points to our being “fed” in our own wilderness times)
Find someone to share EITHER
1) a story of a time in your own life when the generosity of God was ABUNDANT
2) muse about what the theme of “leftovers” might inspire you, or our church, to think about, or to do
Reconvene and Share
Prayer--
One: God who journeys with us, today as we hold your world in prayer we think particularly of these people: Those who must journey long distances to find life’s necessities – water, food, health care. Those who travel long distances to deliver them – aid workers, transport workers.
All: Journey with them, as you journey with us.
One: Those who are seeking to find places of refuge as they flee war, famine, and disaster. Those who provide them with sanctuary and safety.
All: Journey with them, as you journey with us.
One: Those who take on the great journeys of the mind to find discoveries in science, technology, and engineering, and all who benefit from these discoveries.
All: Journey with them, as you journey with us.
One: Those who travel into their imaginations to create stories and plays and film and poetry and art. Those who find joy and inspiration in what is created.
All: Journey with them, as you journey with us.
One: Those who step into perilous places to create a safe and secure society.
All: Journey with them, as you journey with us.
One: Those who transport us to events we need to be, and places we choose to be – moms and dads, bus drivers and pilots.
All: Journey with them, as you journey with us.
One: Those who guide us and journey with us in faith.
All: Journey with them, as you journey with us. Amen.
|
