John 6:1-9

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” vs. 9

When Jesus asked the disciples where they could get food for all the people, they were incredulous. They didn’t see any way that it could be done. There were just too many hungry people. We know the feeling. We are besieged by agencies and organizations asking for help to feed the hungry people of the world, and most of us try to do something. We send generous gifts to Hunger Appeals and to Lutheran World Relief, and often act locally with donations to soup kitchens and food pantries. We take stories like this one from the gospels seriously, even as we wonder with the disciples what difference our gifts can make among so many hungry people. It’s what we do as followers of Jesus. It’s what believers have always done. We give our barley loaves and fishes and trust that the Christ who fills the world can use those little offerings to make a big difference. It would be nice if one day there would be no more hungry people, but until that happens we are called to put food on the table, not only for ourselves, but for all our sisters and brothers. There is plenty of food in the world for all to have daily bread, and it’s our calling to make that happen, no matter how long it may take!

Thought for the Day: If there’s plenty of food, why do so many go hungry?

Ephesians 3:18-21

“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” vss. 20-21

As Christ dwells within us we are being rooted and grounded in love–and that’s not just pious talk! In Christ the energy of the universe is working within us for good, and we can be more than we ever imagined, and receive more than we could ever think of asking for. While that power goes unused and untapped in far too many people we can be truly grateful for the countless persons who make no effort to rein in the love that dwells within and let it loose in the world for all to enjoy. We see them around everywhere we go, and in their eyes and in their touches we see and feel awesome acceptance and caring. They aren’t using the love power of the Christ to manipulate, or amass riches for themselves–all they desire is to bring joy and healing to others, and what a blessing they are! And what’s more amazing are those times when we join their number and allow the Christ love in us to be seen. On those days family members and co-workers are lifted up and blessed–and it feels good! We may never have dreamed that we could be agents of God’s love, but in Christ surprises abound, and we can be turned into lovers.

Thought for the Day: A time when my ability to love surprised me!

Ephesians 3:14-17

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.” vss. 14-15

For those who were accustomed to living under a patriarchal system it was very natural to think of God as “Father.” And although in our more egalitarian world the word seems limiting, we need to look beyond the usage to the underlying truth, which in this case is plain. Everyone of us, all persons on this earth, are a part of one family, and no one folk or nation of us has any claim to superiority or privilege. Unfortunately that’s not how we’ve lived! Instead particular races have clung to primitive and hateful notions of prestige and power, while judging and marginalizing others totally because of the color of their skin or their national origin. And what’s sadder still is that such notions have been internalized and passed on–as a result too many children have grown up with a sense of privilege based totally on race, and the lie has been perpetuated through successive generations. What a blessing it has been for followers of Jesus to lead the way in breaking down racial barriers and battling long standing injustices! There is simply no place in the human family for racial prejudice or gender discrimination. We are all one in Christ, and there are to be no distinctions, no matter how deep-seated or widespread they may be.

Thought for the Day: What prejudices have I discovered in myself?

Psalm 145:15-18

“The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.” vss. 15-16

The psalmist certainly had a benevolent view of God and credited the Lord for providing abundantly for every living thing. On the surface that’s a nice thought, and there are times when we will gladly echo those words of praise and thanks. And we should! There is gracious support for life of all kinds on this earth. But at other times we’re not so sure! Because of the vagaries of weather and fluctuating populations, sometimes there are famines and widespread starvation. Whole species of plants and animals become extinct–even the dinosaurs were not immune! And it’s not always because humans have messed things up, the extinctions were taking place long before we showed up! Because of such questions some might wonder about God’s benevolence and the connection between God and creation. Some of the difficulty comes from our tendency to think of God as being separate from creation, as though God is a being who daily does supply chain management for all living things. And that’s just not true! God is not separate from creation. God is all that exists–and more! That means that God is intimately present in the evolution of all things, the birthing and the dying and even the extinctions that are a natural part of existence. Nothing happens apart from God! And for that we give God praise and thanks!

Thought for the Day: What would happen if humans become extinct?

Psalm 145:10-13

“All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you.” vs. 10

Even the most nationalistic of the psalmists knew that the kings of Israel and Judah, no matter how rich or powerful, were nothing when compared to the Lord of the Universe. National rulers may sputter and fume, strutting for the masses in their fifteen seconds of fame, but only God deserves our thanks and our blessings. It really is laughable to see how we humans boast in our momentary triumphs of technology and science–it’s almost as though we think we created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, as though we’re responsible for our own presence. All such notions are of course nonsense–we’re like the flowers and grasses of the field, here today and gone tomorrow. And yet we have the privilege to have existence on a planet that, so far as we know, is literally miraculous, specially designed to give us the best life possible. Every day, no matter what direction we look, we see the fingerprints of the Creator. It isn’t anything we could possibly replicate–and we get to live out our lives here and enjoy earth’s bounty as a gift! Can we do anything other than join the rest of creation in giving thanks? Surely it must be our first prayer every day!

Thought for the Day: What’s my first thought when I wake up?

2 Kings 4:42-44

“A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, ‘Give it to the people and let them eat.’” vs. 42

The giving of first fruits is standard practice for all those who have been touched by the Light of Christ. It’s a recognition that everything we have comes from God and is intended to be shared and not hoarded. That’s why offerings are a regular part of our worship, not as an obligation, but as an act of thanksgiving. They are an opportunity for not only supporting the mission of our congregations, but also a chance for us to reach out to the hungry of our world. It would seem that in a time of plenty there would be no hunger, but that’s not how it works. The changing climate coupled with the mass migrations of people fleeing oppression means that millions of folks need our attention and care. Most of us are connected in some way to agencies and organizations that are distributing food all across the globe, and those efforts need our regular and generous support. We have been showered with plenty, more than we can possibly use for our own needs. When we combine our gifts as communities of faith, it’s stunning the impact that we can have. The word of the Lord is clear–give to the people and let them eat!

Thought for the Day: What can I do to feed the hungry?

Mark 6:53-56

“When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.” vss. 54-55

Once Jesus had been identified as a healer, there was no holding back of the crowds. His plan to take a brief time away with his disciples went by the boards as the word spread about his ministry. Everywhere he went, as soon as his presence was noted, people brought the sick and the infirm–chances are they weren’t much interested in his preaching or teaching, but they were desperate for healing. That’s just the way it is. Even though we live in an era with magnificent medical facilities and thousands of skilled physicians, everyone still has health issues, and while some can skate through life pretty much unscathed, most people eventually are forced to deal with illness and disease. And when those health problems hit us or our family we’ll do anything we can to find a successful treatment. Some travel thousands of miles seeking cures, and when a disease like cancer comes we feel the urgency all the more. That’s still the reason many turn to prayer and call upon Jesus to give the healing they desire. Health issues remind us of our own mortality, and for many they are a signal to start “getting right with God.” Even though we know that one day we will die, most of us have a deep desire to live in good health as long as we can!

Thought for the Day: What is the connection between health and faith?

Mark 6:30-34

“He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” vs. 31

Jesus’ invitation to his disciples strikes a responsive chord even today. No matter what kind of work we have, even if it isn’t directly related to missional service, we’re bound to get worn out. And if we don’t have built-in breaks or respites, it can be exhausting and stressful. Some have found that even in retirement they are constantly on the go and even extraverts can run out of energy. What a blessing it is when we can put Jesus’ prescription into practice and find deserted places by ourselves for rest! Some people even make that a priority when searching for a home. They want a place where the noise and stress of life can be cancelled out and they can recharge their spiritual and emotional batteries. Others find that sort of a respite in a retreat center like Spirit in the Desert in Carefree, Arizona. Here, away from crowds, they can find quiet spaces, open the portals of their senses, and breathe in the soul-renewing presence of the Divine. Some like to sit while others prefer walking, but all need times and places where the Peace of God is palpable and real. It’s a hard lesson, but we know it’s true. We can’t serve the needs of others unless we learn to care for ourselves!

Thought for the Day: Where’s my quiet place?

Ephesians 2:19-22

“In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.” vss. 21-22

Christians have traditionally seen these verses from Ephesians as an ancient description of the Church as the Body of Christ, and they’ve not been wrong. By our baptisms we have become members of Christ’s body. As such we are his living presence in the world, and through us, the mission of Jesus to the lost and the hurting continues. We truly are the hands and the feet of Jesus, called to love and to serve in his name. There are some however, who are beginning to ask whether this definition is sufficient–they feel that it has moved away from its non-dualistic roots and that it is now used to describe insiders, (those who have been saved), over-against all those following some of the world’s other great religions. They wonder if the phrase, “in Christ,” doesn’t demand a more inclusive perspective. If we believe that Christ is indeed the one through whom Light has come into the Universe, it must also be true that Christians can’t possibly claim to be the only ones through whom the Light shines. While we can’t yet even imagine what this change in understanding might mean from a theological perspective, we can at least begin acting as though it’s true, and begin embracing our brothers and sisters in other faiths as fellow pilgrims on the Way!

Thought for the Day: How do I relate to those of other faiths?

Ephesians 2:11-18

“For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” vs. 14

Humans love dualistic systems. We regularly speak of light and darkness, good and evil,  heaven and hell–such pairs are a way to describe the universe and our various life experiences. One of the consequences of that dualistic thinking in religion has been the division of people into two basic groups, those who are in and those who are out, or more particularly, those who are saved and those who are not. Jesus encountered such thinkers in the course of his ministry–their division was succinct: people were either sinners or righteous! Jesus rejected such thinking by identifying with the sinners–his enemies agreed, and arranged to have him killed. Paul, convinced that in Christ dualism had died, preached a message of radical unity to the Galatians, “In Christ there are neither Jew nor Greek, male or female, slave or free.” That message is amplified in the letter to the Ephesians. No longer are there two groups, Jew or Gentile. Now there is only one Body and in that Body all our favorite distinctions are broken down. Unfortunately, even that solid testimony has been ignored by followers of Jesus. Through the centuries we’ve continued to think in binary terms–we just love to be the “in group” and think of others as the “unclean and unwashed.” It’s only in recent years that many have begun to adopt non-dualistic thinking–and what a blessing it has been!

Thought for the Day: What is non-dualistic thinking?