Enough and More Than Enough

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-15 and Psalm 14  • 2 Kings 4:42-44 and Psalm 145:10-18  • Ephesians 3:14-21  • John 6:1-21

We are among the fortunate ones who have enough to eat. We don't have to look far to see those who don't. The ministry of Christ's Kitchen and the Food Pantry, and like efforts are needed now more than ever.

This week's gospel - the feeding of the 5,000, beginning with the five barley loaves and two fishes - shows us that in seeming scarcity, God provides abundantly if we are willing to share - no, care to share what we have  -  and if we are willing to receive, not take.  Notice how Jesus rejects the power structure of the world which strives to take what others have - a world view of scarcity, not abundance.

Are we needy? If so, for what? Scarcity brings with it fear. Fear of not having enough. A need to "get mine," before somebody else does. It breeds false security, possessiveness, and violence to "protect" what we have.

In "Dream or Deliverance," Jessie Larkins critically examines the "American Dream," in comparison with the dream of having enough, and more than enough. Think about this as you take the bread of life, and the cup of salvation in the presence and joy of Christ at the Table of the Lord. May the great "I AM, " deliver us. 

The Need for Rest and God's Agenda

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-14a and Psalm 89:20-37  • Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Psalm 23  • Ephesians 2:11-22  • Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

This week Jesus invites his disciples, and us, to rest, get away to a quiet place, all by ourselves. He had sent the disciples out to spread the good news, and had just heard the bad news of the unjust death of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus and his journey to the cross. The crowds were pressing him so much - they were so hungry for his teaching, his healing, his peace. And Jesus knew that he, the disciples, and us, need rest and renewal. In the 23rd Psalm, the Shepherd Lord " maketh me to lie down beside still waters."

Just as he was about to shove off in a boat, he saw people with needs. With gut wrenching compassion he could not leave without what? He did not feed them first. He first taught them. What did he teach them? What need did they have more than food? What needs do we have? How do we respond to needs of others? How do we get our rest? Read what The Rev. Rick Morley has to say in "Jesus' Man-Cave, a reflection on Mark 6:30-34; 53-56."

And just when we think we have it all together, all figured out, and resting on our accomplishments, we are reminded, even when we think we are doing the Lord's work, that our agenda is not necessarily God's agenda. David, a man after God's own heart, whom God loved although a murderer and adulterer, thought he was doing God a favor when he wanted to build God a house. What did God tell David through the prophet Nathan? See Sam Rowen's "Whose Agenda Is It Anyway?" Even though David did not get to do what he wanted to do to honor God, God blessed him beyond his wildest hopes and dreams. Through Christ, from the line of David, God has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams, too.

 

Speaking truth to power - whose kingdom do you belong to?

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 and Psalm 24  • Amos 7:7-15 and Psalm 85:8-13  • Ephesians 1:3-14  • Mark 6:14-29

The people of the day interpreted their good fortune as God's favor. Amos says that the people were intensely and sincerely religious.

But theirs was a privatized religion of personal benefit.  They ignored the poor, the widow, the alien, and the orphan.  Their form of religion degraded faith to culturally acceptable rituals.  The people of the day interpreted their good fortune as God's favor. Amos says that the people were intensely and sincerely religious.

But theirs was a privatized religion of personal benefit.  They ignored the poor, the widow, the alien, and the orphan.  Their form of religion degraded faith to culturally acceptable rituals.

Enter Amos. Amos preached from the pessimistic and unpatriotic fringe. He was blue collar rather than blue blooded. He admits that he was neither a prophet nor even the son of a prophet in the professional sense of the term.  With graphic details that make you wince, Amos describes how the rich crushed the poor; the affluent with their expensive lotions, elaborate music, and vacation homes with beds of inlaid ivory; sexual debauchery in which a man and his son abused the same woman; a corrupt legal system that sold justice to the highest bidder; predatory lenders who exploited vulnerable families; and religious leaders who sanctioned it all.

Which kingdom do you belong to? Consider Dan Clendenin's "Amos or Amaziah?" 

Reflecting on this Sunday's gospel passage in "At what cost?" The Rev. Sharron Blezard reminds us of the costs many have paid, and pay, to speak out against injustice, on behalf of the poor and marginalized, and vulnerable. John the Baptist lost his head for speaking truth to power. A rough hewed farmer, shepherd spoke boldly against the religion of Israel and Jeroboam's kingdom, which the religious order supported in its excesses of wealth and immorality while the poor languished in poverty.

Compare family in God's kingdom in Paul's letter to the Ephesians with royal family life in the kingdoms of Jeroboam and Herod in The Rev. Amy Richter's "Royal Families."

 

Independence/Interdependence; Strength in Vulnerability; Powerless indifference

Scripture: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 and Psalm 48  • Ezekiel 2:1-5 and Psalm 123  • 2 Corinthians 12:2-10  • Mark 6:1-13

This Sunday follows America's Independence Day, and our gospel lesson lends itself to consideration of the relationship between independence and interdependence, and the nature of power.

Other than healing a few people, Jesus is unable to "do a deed of power" in his home town of Nazareth? Why? And yet, he sends out his disciples, equipped with only a staff, no food, no bag, no money, and they were able to do great things. How relevant this is in our present country with all the divisiveness and vitriolic side-taking. The Rev. Davis Lose in "Independence/Interdependence," invites us to find independence from having to go it alone, from just relying on those of the same mind, experience and opinions, recognizing that we cannot grow and bring God's good news and healing love to others without true humility, being willing to be interdependent on and with others, not just those of like mind, which leaves us open to vulnerability, but strengthens and builds and grows God's kingdom of love and peace.

Sister Kim Harris, in her "Exposition,"brings it home, asking us to reflect on "How have I been closed to God's ways? How much good have I rejected because the message was delivered in ways I am uncomfortable with? How often have I not heard God's message because it has not been spoken by one respectable enough, by someone who is "not one of us?" "Where am I stopping the miracle of grace in my life?" Peace-making is in vain if we are closed minded.

 In her "Reflection," Sister Harris comments on why Jesus could not do deeds of power in his home town, and concludes that indifference, coldness and disinterest is what prevents the power of Christ from moving in us, and has us ask "With whom, and what am I indifferent? For where we are indifferent, God is not at work there." 

 

Are we "open for healing.. for grace?"

Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 and Psalm 130  • Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15, 2:23-24 or Lamentations 3:22-33 and Psalm 30  • 2 Corinthians 8:7-15  • Mark 5:21-43

This week's gospel provides a look at God in man made manifest as Jesus crosses barriers to bring healing, salvation and life to the lost, the hopeless, and the dead. As Jesus heals the woman who had been bleeding for years, and raise up a young girl who was dead - allowing the "unclean" to touch him while he touches the "unclean," also provides us insight into the faith Jesus invokes in us.

This lesson follows lessons the last two weeks when God shows us what can be done with faith the size of a mustard seed, and inspiring a young shepherd boy to defeat the power of the giant Goliath. God moves, not only in mysterious ways, but shows up in the most unexpected places. 

Consider the Rev. Kathryn Matthews' "Brushing Up Against Grace," for other themes such as "The point between faith and fear, Courage to love in spite of risk, Making room on the agenda for even more compassion, Reaching down to lift up, The possibility within the quiet, and Trust and openness.

What does it take to be open for healing... for grace?

A lesson for Father's Day

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 and Psalm 9:9-20 or 1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 18:10-16 and Psalm 133  • Job 38:1-11 and Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32  • 2 Corinthians 6:1-13  • Mark 4:35-41

This Sunday is Father's Day! As a father, I know what a blessing that is, and it helps me understand, appreciate and honor my father. It has taken on a whole other dimension as I see what a wonderful father my oldest son is.

Today our scripture teaches us a lot about what it is to be a father - to be a comfort and a strength in the face of fear, having patience and wisdom to help a small child grow with confidence and become something great in a world of violence, destruction, hate and storms. Reflect on the story of David and Goliath and think about the small and the great, and the  source of his strength and confidence. Consider the Shalom - Peace, be still! - of the one who calms the storms.
 
For further reflection see Robert Cornwall's " Sleeping through the Storm," Steve Goodier's "What I Pray For," and Professor Alyce M. MacKenzie's Father's Day article related to last week's parable of the mustard seed, "What Every Father Should Know: Reflection on the Seed Parables in Mark 4:26-34.

Isn't it just like God to do the unexpected?

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:34 - 16:13 and Psalm 20  • Ezekiel 17:22-24 and Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15  • 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17  • Mark 4:26-34

I titled this week's lesson "Isn't it just like God to do the unexpected?" because it seems to fit the scripture lessons from 1 Samuel, who, to the surprise of everyone, including Samuel, anoints the young shepherd boy, David, to be the second king of Israel, and Jesus' parable in the fourth chapter of Mark, about the mustard seed.

In "Just a kid. Just a seed. Just a church," Joel Shuman tells us, small and insignificant as we may think we are, God has us just where he wants us. If we have hope, faith, patience, and a willingness to see the good of God in others, our work, and in our play, great and wonderful things will be done in the furtherance of God's kingdom - not always what we think or expect, but what God expects and does - through and with us. Thanks be to God! See also, Sister Kym Harris' "Exposition" and "Reflection" on this week's lesson.