| First Reading |
Psalm |
Epistle |
Gospel |
| Genesis 32:22–31 |
Psalm 17:1–7 |
Romans 9:1–5 |
Matthew 14:13–31
|
All four Gospels include the story of Jesus taking a few fish and a couple loaves of bread, and feeding a multitude of people. John has the food coming from a small boy, but in the other Gospels Jesus tells the disciples, " You give them something to eat,", presumably from their own supply of food. The great sign or miracle of the loaves and fishes encapsulates how things are in God's new world. It is also a story that at some level is recreated every time we share the bread and wine together.
There is an apocryphal story about a priest who wanted to stress the importance of the story to his confirmation class, so he took them on a short hike up one of the green hills overlooking Cayuga Lake and had the class dramatize the miracle. At the end of the class when they had walked back to the car, one skeptical student retorted, "That was no miracle! Everybody in those days carried some food with them as they journeyed from place to place. That's why the small boy and the disciples had food with them. When they got hungry, they simply pulled out their sandwiches and offered to share them with a friend, and then other people seeing what they had done, pulled out their food and shared it with those around them, too. Nothing miraculous about it at all!" Well that let the air out of the priest's balloon and the class went back to church and the class was dismissed.
Later that evening the priest realized, "but of course." The skeptical student, unknowingly to be sure, had described precisely what the miracle was all about. A handful of people were so touched by Jesus' teaching that they began to freely and generously share their food. Others saw their example and they in turn began to open their hearts and lunch bags, and feed each other. They began to put into practice how God intends us to act and hence created the great sign of people giving to each other, not hoarding, not claiming it was every man, woman, and child for oneself, but showing concern for one's neighbor. As people cared for one another it was revealed that there was more than enough for all. Everyone gave to another, and everyone was satisfied. God was shown to be a God of abundance, not scarcity.
Jesus in his very person would continue to act out this episode on the hilltop. Jesus shared his life with us and then let go of his ministry and entrusted it to us.
Now Jesus wasn't stupid. He didn't simply exhaust himself and run full speed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The Gospels make it quite clear that Jesus took care of his body and soul. Jesus rested and got away from crowds to quiet his mind and recharge his spiritual batteries. Jesus also ate and enjoyed himself at parties. Undoubtedly Jesus chewed his lamb carefully, had a daily portion of fresh dates or other fruit, and ate his green leafy grape leaves. Nonetheless, the Gospel is affirming that a key to a healthy and contented existence involves offering one's gifts, sharing one's love, and being willing to face loss and let go.
I suspect that the world would view the miracle of the loaves and fishes much more as a tragedy if not a threatening precedent. We can imagine a CNN headline, "Young boy loses entire lunch bag in mob stirred up by the words of a religious fanatic." or "Newly recruited disciples tricked into feeding a multitude of people. Others follow the boy's and the disciple's example and hundreds forgo their personal provisions. Local Chamber of Commerce worried that application of Jesus' message might hurt local food vendors and send sales taxes on fish and chips plummeting."
While to people of faith the sign of the loaves and fishes is a continual realization and celebration of God's love and generosity, as well as an example for all humanity, we should be forewarned that the world often interprets it as a misfortune about those who lost or were tricked out of their possessions in a fit of naive generosity. That is why the Gospel will always be resisted if not openly opposed. We, too, make a life choice about the interpretation. For us, is God a God of generosity and openness or a God of scarcity and suspicion?
I think this lesson is perfect for this mid-summer weekend and the season for picnics on the shores of the Finger Lakes. I also think that the prophet's words in the first lesson remind us of the picnic Jesus offers, as we return home again afterwards. "Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money ... come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen so that you may live." (Is. 55:1–3)
And I offer this to you in the name of the Living God, Amen.
