The focus of the Lectionary this week, is on learning to trust in God's grace and God's ways, and learning to live out of that faith in every choice, every decision and every moment. It's a timely word, since so much suffering is caused when we operate from fear, lust, greed and self-sufficiency. Faith in God's ways and God's gracious presence may sound naive and impractical, but, when we take the risk and live as faithful followers of Christ, we discover that the principles of God's Reign really are the best way to live.

READINGS

2 Kings 4:42-44: The prophet Elijah receives a bag of grain and twenty barley loaves, and he instructs his servant to feed one hundred people with them. The servant, although uncertain at first, obeys, and after everyone is fed there is food left over.

Psalm 145:10-18: God's people bless God and give thanks to God, telling everyone about God's power and glory, and God's everlasting Reign, because God is trustworthy and supports, provides for, and rescues all who call out to God.

Ephesians 3:14-21: Paul prays for the Ephesian Christians, asking God, who knows all people, to strengthen them, live in them and enable them to grasp the height, depth and breadth of God's love. Then Paul, celebrates God who can do far more than we can think or imagine.

John 6:1-21: Jesus is followed by a large crowd and he asks Philip where they will find food to feed them, but Philip expresses that it would be far too costly to try and feed them all. Then Andrew points out one youth's five loaves and two fish. Jesus blesses the food and has it distributed to the crowd, and everyone is fed. Then, because he knows they want to force him to be king, Jesus withdraws. But, later, as the disciples sail across the lake, a storm comes up. But, Jesus goes to the disciples on the water and they reach their destination safely.

In every life a choice must be made in which we decide the principles that will guide us. In our relationships, our neighbourhoods, our communities, our work and play we can choose to allow our own self-interest to be primary or we can trust that following the ways of God's Reign truly do lead us to life. The challenge is that we would love to believe that following Jesus guarantees prosperity, health and safety, but this is not what this week's readings promise.  Rather, we are offered a vision of God's grace and presence that calls to the grace and compassion within us. We are challenged, through the Gospel story, to believe that generosity and trust really can help us to enjoy shared abundance and navigate the storms that we will inevitably face. One of the tragedies of the contemporary church is that we have failed to live the faith we proclaim. Where we have spoken about forgiveness and grace, we have been vindictive and condemning. Where we have spoken about trust and generosity, we have been greedy and stingy. Where we have spoken about courage and integrity, we have been fearful and cowardly. If the world is to believe our message, we are going to have to manifest it in our lives and communities, and when we do, we may well discover that we contribute to wholeness and peace in our world.ys they were stunningly successful, despite themselves.

 

The thumbnails come from sacredise.com,