Leap of Faith, Pentecost 10, August 13, 2017

Tenth Sunday of Pentecost (Year A)

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Over their cries of fear, Jesus calls to them, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear” (Matthew 14:27). Jesus reveals himself -- not simply as Jesus, their teacher, but as “I AM.” A more literal translation of this sentence would be, “Take heart, I am, do not be afraid.” This self-revelation is a disclosure of Jesus’ source of power. For Matthew’s Jewish Christian audience, Jesus’ words echo the divine name.

– Carla Works

Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C.

Theme: Leap of Faith

Reflection: The waves were rocking the canoe on North Lake, in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, on the U.S./Canadian border. Yesterday’s mirror-like stillness was gone, and the waves threatened to break over the craft. My friend Staci was in the bow in our long-awaited six-day trip, and the two of us were just trying to make some headway against the wind and waves.

We decided to stay closer to the shore, but not so close that we could be shoved against the rocks on the point. It was a fine line to stay on course.

“Just a little further and we’ll be around the point,” I said, as much to myself as Staci, as she encouraged Zip, her brown heeler mix, to stay down behind her. “It should be calmer there.” Inwardly, my prayers kept time with my pounding chest.

And as we navigated the bend and pushed out into the narrows, the water was calmer. It remained somewhat choppy, and the clouds did open up a time or two. But we were no longer seeing whitecaps as we paddled to the next portage and into the most beautiful day of passage on our trip.

In our lessons today, Ezekiel and Peter have divine encounters. An unlikely duo. One running in fear, one taking a leap of faith. Both seeing “Danger Ahead” signs and bypassing them. Winds and waves, fire and earthquake. The powers and persona of the Lord.

Ezekiel was panicked. He was the last prophet left to preach repentance to the Israelites, and he felt like God’s last believer. Lonely place. Frightened and defeated, he ran to the mountain of God, Horeb (Sinai), seeking to hide. But in words we’ve probably heard, there is no hiding place God won’t find us. “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Elijah gave God the quick and dirty on his extended run for his life – 40 days. The Biblical code for “a very long time.” God sent him outside to see earthquake, wind and fire, the kind of power Ezekiel had on his side. When the acts of God passed into silence, God checked to see if Ezekiel had caught the lesson.

‘Fraid not.

Ezekiel gave a word-for-word repeat of his fears, and God saw Ezekiel had lost hope. So, he offered Elijah a succession plan in the form of Elisha, Jehu and Hazael. And then he told Elijah how wrong he was, that he was never alone. Thousands had not given in to idol worship and still worshiped God alone. About now, I imagine, Ezekiel may have realized the error of his ways.

But if Ezekiel jumped ship in fear, Peter jumped out of the ship in faith. Moments earlier, the disciples had debated whether the apparition of Jesus was a ghost. Jesus reassured them that he had completed his prayers and down time, and was just taking the shortest route between them – the water’s surface. The disciples had never seen Jesus – or anyone! – do that before. So impetuous Peter asked if he could join Jesus.

Probably knowing how this would go, Jesus told Peter to come right over. And Peter did fine for two, maybe three steps. (About as long as I stayed up my first time on ice or roller skates!) And as soon as “Lord, save me,” was out of Peter’s mouth, he was up against the side of the boat in his friend’s grip. I picture Jesus teasing Peter, not berating him, when he said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Almost as if Jesus was disappointed Peter didn’t stay up and walk with him longer. The other disciples hauled Peter back in, still coughing up water, and Jesus jumped in and sat down as the chaotic seas stilled.

The stunned disciples didn’t know what to appreciate more – Jesus, the gentled sea, or Peter back among them. Looking at the unruffled, dry tunic of their Rabbi, realization set in. “Son of God,” “Savior,” “Messiah,” “Anointed One” they cried, awe-filled looks remaining on their faces long after they stood on the shoreline.

(You always are welcome to respond with your thoughts and reflections in the comments section at the bottom of this post.) 

Faith App:  Where do you hear Jesus’ voice calling you out of the boat? Where are you playing it safe, unwilling to listen when Jesus says “Come!” Take the leap of faith, into the new challenge, trusting our Lord’s hand is beside you.

HYMN/SONG SUGGESTIONS

Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult, ELW 696

How Firm a Foundation, ELW 796

Eternal Father, Strong to Save, ELW 756

Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me, ELW 755

Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me, ELW 767

Precious Lord, Take My Hand, ELW 773

My Life Flows on in Endless Song, ELW 763

He Comes to Us as One Unknown, ELW 737

Reach, Peter Furler

What Faith Can Do, Kutless

Voice of Truth, Casting Crowns

Walk on Water, Audio Adrenaline

Walk on the Water, Britt Nicole

Beyond Me, TobyMac

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail), Hillsong United

Like the Angels, Brenton Brown

LESSONS

1 Kings 19:9-18 Despite threats against his life, Elijah remains faithful to the Lord.

Psalm 85:8-13 The Lord will protect those whose hearts remain steadfast.

Romans 10:5-15 If you believe and confess that Jesus is the Lord, everlasting life is yours.

Matthew 14:22-33 After Jesus walks on the water, the disciples confess Jesus as the Son of God.

Summary:  Faith and fear. They are not opposites, as some might imagine. Just like courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to take an action despite risks, faith is the ability to move forward despite fears and consequences. Faith is more than just words.

OPENING LITANY based on Psalm 85:8-13

L:  We’re waiting to hear the voice of the Lord,

C:  Words of assurance, and words that restore us.

L:  We’re keeping the faith through thick and thin –

C:  Our hearts on fire for the God of grace we trust.

L:  God will rescue us, revealing the sacred around us;

C:  The people of God will confess the name of the Lord.

L:  We’re waiting to see the goodness of the Lord,

C:  Justice and peace restoring the kingdom of God.

L:  God’s faithful people coming together in love –

C:  The Eternal One guiding them along the way.

L:  God will rescue us, revealing the sacred around us;

C:  The people of God will confess the name of the Lord.

CONFESSION

L:  Lord, you never abandon us, you always will hold us,

C:  When we feel like we’re the last person on your side,

L:  When no one will listen when we speak of your love;

C:  Walk beside us in encouragement and lead us forward.

L:  Lord, you send us out but you never leave our side,

C:  When we feel we’re not equipped to share your word,

L:  When we’re tongue-tied and silent about our faith;

C:  Fill us with your Spirit, so we can share your good news.

L:  Lord, you send us to care for a world filled with needs,

C:  When we’re drowning in the chaos of so much hurt,

L:  When we lose sight of you in the high waves of despair;

C:  Reach out your hand and assure us that you are near.

(Silent reflection)

L:  In our confession, we pray together,

C:  Most Merciful God … make our belief in you more than a creed or a membership card in the church. Send us to say the words someone needs to hear, to act to secure justice and peace, to create relationships and reconciliation with those who have been excluded, and to leave our comfort zones to go where you call us.

P:  Here is Good News: The same Lord is Lord of ALL and is generous to ALL who cry out. Take heart, God loves every leap of faith we take, whether it is greeting the newcomer in this worship space, providing food for hungry children, or sheltering the refugee. Look for our Lord’s hand reaching out when our fears are bigger than our faith. God is calling us to share the love we have been given, the forgiveness I proclaim that sets you free from your sin.

In the name of…

C:  Amen

PRAYER OF THE DAY

L:  We pray together, 

C:  Steadfast God, thank you for being close enough to reach us when we falter, and ready to rescue us when we cry for help. May we not only to know this, but also live like this is true, so we aren’t afraid to take steps in faith. Like Peter, may we be brave enough to ask, “Jesus, may we come where the water is rough and walk with you?” Amen.

COMMUNION BLESSING

L:  We pray together,

C:  We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the saving grace in this bread, your constant rescue in this cup. Walk with us, over the waves of chaos in our lives, leading us right into other strong winds of adversity, as we learn to trust you always are at hand when we take our eyes off you.  Amen.

SENDING

L:  Leave your hiding places,

C:  Leap out of your safe boat,

L:  Keep your eyes on the Lord,

C:  Who is bigger than our fears.

L:  Go now, beyond your comfort zone, to love and to serve the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God!

First Reading 1 Kings 19:9-18 (NRSV)

Setting the Scene: The prophet Ezekiel is a wanted man, after executing hundreds of Queen Jezebel’s prophets of the idol Baal. He’s worked hard, but the people of Israel aren’t responding. Instead of calling out for God’s help, he makes a run for it.

⁹ At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁰ He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”

¹¹ He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; ¹² and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁴ He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.” ¹⁵ Then the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. ¹⁶ Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. ¹⁷ Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. ¹⁸ Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

Second Reading Romans 10:5-15 (NRSV)

Setting the Scene: Paul continues to spell out the answers to points of disagreement for the church at Rome. A key question from the church, then and now, is “What must I do to ensure salvation?”

⁵ Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” ⁶ But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷ “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸ But what does it say?

“The word is near you,
    on your lips and in your heart”

(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹ because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. ¹¹ The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. ¹³ For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

¹⁴ But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? ¹⁵ And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Gospel Matthew 14:22-33 (NRSV)

Setting the Scene: Jesus still hasn’t had any time to mourn his cousin John’s death. Having fed the 5,000-plus crowd in a miraculous way, he tells the disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee, known for its sudden storms.

²² Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³ And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴ but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. ²⁵ And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. ²⁶ But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

²⁸ Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Abundant Blessings, Pentecost 9, August 6, 2017

Ninth Sunday of Pentecost (Year A)

Sunday, August 6, 2017

To feed another person is to affirm their human dignity. To feed people until they’re full is to declare them replete with value.

– Matt Skinner, Luther Seminary

Theme: Abundant blessings

Reflection: When we first moved into our home in Prescott Valley, 19 years ago this month, our backyard had three trees in what we referred to as the “orchard.” An apple tree that has never given us one apple (I think it needs a pollinator), a plum tree that gives us plums some years and not others, and a small peach tree. The trees lined the east side of our yard.

The first year, we had peaches as soon as we moved in. And the second year, the tree was so laden with peaches that it cracked the trunk right in half, killing our tree. What a shame! Guess we don’t know the first thing about being orchardists.

But recently, we found not one, but two peach trees in our backyard, quite a distance from the original tree. One sits on the south fence line, and the other in front of our shed, on the west side. Apparently, birds carried old peach pits from one side to the other and the trees came up on their own! For the past two years, they have given us unbelievable gifts of fruit.

They are our trees of grace: beautiful, leafy foliage that we did not deserve or tend. But they have blessed us. And we, in turn, can pass along the fruits of these trees of grace, the sweet ripe peaches that are blessings for our friends.

The texts this week talk about living into God’s abundance. But they also are words of the character of God: the goodness, the compassion, the grace, the providing for the needs of each living thing. Isaiah’s words of life, filled with the imagery of food and drink, beyond our imagination. The Psalmist and Paul, both talking about God’s goodness and promises fulfilled.

This one story from the Gospel of Matthew encapsulates the Gospel in nine verses. Like the parables around it, it may as well start with “The kingdom of heaven is like…”

The kingdom is like feeding thousands of people who ask for the impossible – coming out to a deserted place without food for their dinner and being fed bread and fish beyond their expectations. Filled, with 12 baskets of leftovers besides!

That day, the sermon was in the supper. This! … This is the kingdom of heaven. Grace. Abundance. Community.

Again, this year, we’ve had the joy of seeing our friends’ delight when they receive bags and bowls of fruit. Fruit they didn’t tend. Fruit they didn’t ask to receive. But juicy, delicious peaches from trees that were a pure gift to begin with.

Sweet fruit of the kingdom. Dripping with God’s grace.

(Bonus Gospel reflection at the very end this week, so read to the bottom!)

You always are welcome to respond with your thoughts and reflections in the comments section at the bottom of this post.

Faith App: In 2017, how do we feed the 5,000 with our “five loaves and two fishes”? Is it gleaning fruits and vegetables, creating tiny houses, little free libraries, blessing bags for homeless people, or care packages for college students or service members?   

HYMN/SONG SUGGESTIONS

Break Now the Bread of Life, ELW 515

Praise and Thanksgiving, ELW 689

Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ, ELW 674

We Come to the Hungry Feast, ELW 479

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say, ELW 332/611

All Who Hunger Gather Gladly, ELW 461

God Whose Giving Knows No Ending, ELW 678

Let Us Break Bread Together, ELW 471

Enough, Chris Tomlin

All Who Are Thirsty, Kutless

Thrive, Casting Crowns

If We Are the Body, Casting Crowns

Do Something, Matthew West

LESSONS

Isaiah 55:1-5 Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live.

Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.

Romans 9:1-5 To the Israelites belong all good things from God, including the Messiah.

Matthew 14:13-21 Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 

Summary: Our God intends us to have an abundant life, a rich faith, and joyful service – but we are locked within our emptiness, loneliness, scarcity, brokenness and hopelessness. When we are restored, we are moved to generosity, to serve from our gratitude. Jesus’ admonition – “you feed them” went so far beyond one meal of bread and fish, to creating welcome, acceptance, community, teaching and transforming. Feeding the 5,000 is another way of describing the kingdom of heaven.

OPENING LITANY based on Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21

L:  God, your love for us is beyond our understanding;

C:  How kind you are to everyone, how eager to restore.

L:  When we’re weak and unwilling, you don’t turn away;

C:  Lord, abundant are your blessings for every living thing.

L:  You share our burdens, catch us when we stumble.

C:  Your people hunger, and you fill us with good things;

L:  We plead, and you give us far more than we require.

C:  Lord, abundant are your blessings, and just are your ways.

L:  You are never far from us, hear us when we cry out.

C:  You rescue your children when we lose our way;

L:  Protecting us from the dangers we don’t even see.

C:  Lord, abundant are your blessings of concern for us.

CONFESSION

L:  It’s easy to speak the words, “You give them something to eat,”

C:  As 60 million people in the world are homeless because of war;

L:  And a quarter of our children lack the food they need to eat.

C:  We have nothing here but grocery bags and church members.

L:  It’s quick and painless to say the problem is too big for us,

C:  When schools don’t have supplies, and volunteers are needed;

L:  We pay our taxes so those teachers can take care of that.

C:  We have nothing here but backpacks and some retired folks.

L:  It’s convenient to complain that something must be done,

C:  When the national budget includes walls, but not services;

L:  And healthcare is threatened for millions, young and old.

C:  We have nothing here but our voices and these phones.

(Silent reflection)

L:  In our confession, we pray together,

C:  Most Merciful God … we call on you today to give us the passion and compassion to see this world as your kingdom coming, and our lives and resources as the loaves and fish you’ve given us to care for your people. Take away our impulses to blame and assign the problems to someone else, and give us your generous heart to do what we can with what we have.

Hear this Good News: Just as the crowd ate bread and fish until they were stuffed, with a dozen baskets of fish sandwiches to go, God abundantly provides for the needs of all people and this earth. We just need to call on God to change our pessimism to possibilities, and our reservations to resolve. Set aside your doubts and accept God’s blessings, including the entire forgiveness of all your sin.

In the name of…

Amen

PRAYER OF THE DAY

L:  We pray together, 

C:  God of Unlimited Grace … we pray today that you would replace our nearsighted eyes that see scarcity and limitations with your eyes that see infinite possibilities and abundance everywhere. Fill us with your generosity and passion so everyone would be fed, not just with words, but with the essentials of food, water, housing, health and belonging. Bring us together to gather your blessings and learn your ways, then send us out to share. This is our calling – this is our joy. Amen.

COMMUNION BLESSING

L:  We pray together,

C:  We give you thanks, most gracious God, for this simple meal of bread and wine, a feast of abundance of grace, community and new life. Send us out with blessings to-go, so we can share what we have received so plentifully from you.  Amen.

SENDING

L:  Then Jesus lifted the loaves and fish to God,

C:  And everyone was fed, with food to spare.

L:  May we also give to God all that we have,

C:  So we are blessed to provide this world’s needs.

L:  Go now, sharing God’s abundance, to love and to serve the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God!

First Reading Isaiah 55:1-5 (NRSV)

Setting the Scene: The author of this second part of Isaiah continues words to the exiles. Why, in light of God’s promises and faithfulness, would you worship other gods? What more could you possibly need?

55 Ho, everyone who thirsts,
    come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without price.
² 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.
³ Incline your ear, and come to me;
    listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
    my steadfast, sure love for David.
⁴ See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
    a leader and commander for the peoples.
⁵ See, you shall call nations that you do not know,
    and nations that do not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel,
    for he has glorified you.

Second Reading Romans 9:1-5 (NRSV)

Setting the Scene: Paul, Jewish from birth, miraculously converted to one of Jesus’ most committed followers, spread the Good News to Jews and Gentiles, but the Jewish people weighed heaviest on his heart.

9 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— ² I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. ⁴ They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; ⁵ to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever.  Amen.

Gospel Matthew 14:13-21 (NRSV)

Setting the Scene: Jesus had just heard the news that John, his relative, baptizer and wilderness preacher who prepared his way, had been beheaded by Herod. He needed to get away to deal with his grief.

¹³ Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴ When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. ¹⁵ When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” ¹⁶ Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” ¹⁷ They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” ¹⁸ And he said, “Bring them here to me.” ¹⁹ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. ²⁰ And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. ²¹ And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Feeding the 5,000 in 2017

The words of the disciples in Matthew 14:15 hit disturbingly close to home: "Send the crowds away so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves" sounds an awful lot like 2017 “Build a wall to keep the immigrants and refugees out because they don't belong here" or "Send the people battling addictions and homeless away because we're just enabling them by showing them compassion."

And exactly where were the 5,000 (or perhaps 10,000 or more if the 5,000 was a count of men only), going to go and find something to eat in the “deserted place.” The healing event wasn’t advertised as a bring-your-own-basket (BYOB) event. Nor were their food trucks following Jesus around in the first century.

And even if they did, the people following Jesus and the merely curious had one thing in common: they were subjects of the Roman empire. Not well-off people who ate well every day. We just don’t think about it, but even if the disciples had convinced Jesus to break off his healing, teaching, community-building afternoon early, the people probably would have gone home to little or nothing.

As David Lose puts it: “And so the disciples’ suggestion that these hordes of people go buy food isn’t just unrealistic – they are, after all, out in a deserted place – it’s ridiculous…and even a little insulting, as the folks making up these desperate crowds probably didn’t have money to buy food in the first place. And so Jesus tells his disciples to get over their callous self-concern and feed them themselves.”

So, in a story that may be aimed more at us in the abundance of our lives in 2017, what is stopping us from Jesus’ directive, “you give them something to eat”? Is it our own poverty? Highly unlikely. Our apathy? Possibly. Our fear that we could never do enough? Now I think we’re on to something.

Going into 2017, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimated that more than 65 million people had been displaced from their homelands by conflict. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture, almost one in four children in our own country was food insecure (not certain where a meal would come from) in the past year. Hunger also affects people unemployed and underemployed, and seniors.

Housing. Mental health. Climate change. Education. Safe water. Discrimination. We could keep listing the social concerns, until they become so overwhelming that we bury our heads in the sand. The inequities are so great, and we’re just one – one person, one family, one church, one community. What can we do?

Stop. Jesus didn’t say, “Go solve all their problems today.” In the deserted place, Jesus told the disciples to give them something to eat.

Start somewhere. Maybe it is a neighbor who is struggling and could use a meal or some groceries. Perhaps you have a son or daughter who is overwhelmed and needs a hand, or someone you work with could use a ride until she can afford to get a new tire on her car.

We’re missing the point if we just throw money at the problem. The people didn’t just need a gift card to buy food – they needed the disciples to show they cared. The disciples had to give Jesus the five loaves and two fish to have God bless and multiply them.

I’ve done it. I’m sure you’ve done it too. Keep serving, keep acting in compassion, keep getting others to see abundance instead of scarcity. Don’t give up. We have gifts and resources that God can bless and multiply. The choice is ours: Send the crowds away, or give them something to eat.