Sermon, Pentecost +10 (B)

 Do you feel ALIVE?

That’s not a trick question. How are you feeling this morning? Is it a ‘jump out of bed singing and dancing’ kind of morning? Is it a still-in-the-PJs slog down to the coffee pot kind of morning, to wait… and wait… until that first hit of caffeine kicks in? Is it somewhere in between? Do you feel alive?

Because wherever you are in those feelings of today – whether you’re at home in your bunny slippers, or here in your Sunday best; or even if you’re praying with us at some later time –

You are alive. Do you feel it?

YOU are alive.

You ARE alive.

You are ALIVE!

And here’s how I know that – and this has nothing to do with medical knowledge.

Because I’m not actually asking if you are still existing in this life – I’m presuming, that if we’re praying together here, that you have breath in your lungs – thanks be to God – and a heart beating in your chest – thanks be to God! – and all the other markers of a functional body. Thanks be to God!

But in addition to that – as though that wasn’t enough! In addition to that, you are alive. You exist: and you live.

Because life, we know, is SO much more than what can be measured by the marvels of medical technology. I’m not downplaying the wonders of science – we are all better for the gift of knowledge and research and its application in our lives.

But our LIFE is more than existence.

And this is not talking about our accomplishments, either – though we all have those, and we celebrate them. But who we are – as individuals, as families, as a church – WHO we are is a celebration of life. The gymnast Simone Biles this week reminded us all of this; after she removed herself from Olympic competition, she said “the outpouring of love and support I’ve received has made me realise I’m more than my accomplishments and gymnastics, which I never truly believed before.”

She is alive. Would that we could all come to such profound appreciation of being alive.

Because we all are alive.

You. Are. Alive.

Alive in body, and mind, and Spirit.

And that’s what we can all benefit from remembering.

We exist: AND we are alive.

And what we DO with that ALIVEness matters.

Because – that aliveness – it’s already been given to us. We don’t have to work for it. We don’t have to ask for it, we don’t have to beg for it, we don’t have to pay for it. It’s ours.

Now, I know that receiving things for free – that’s not always our comfort zone.

We have analogies about this – there’s no such thing as a free lunch!

We should pull ourselves up by our bootstraps (as if that ridiculous symbolism even makes sense – pulling ourselves up would actually pull ourselves tumbling over).

When you get something free, you get what you paid for!

Alas. When we move beyond these trite expressions of our existence, we move into the free gift of grace, the free gift of God’s love, the free gift of LIFE.

And this is what the scriptures assure us of today; what they model for us today; what they inspire us towards today. The gift of life.

In the Samuel passage, David is living his version of the Israelite Dream: well-loved, highly respected, long lasting monarch. Great. He’s victorious in battle, he looks after his people, he is, after all, the one that God chose!

Until his ego gets the better of him; his ego sweeps him into blissful ignorance – he’s happy, and he starts to forget about doing right by God. And, does some wrong by God.

Yet he is given – as we all are – the chance to repent. Nathan (we remember Nathan from 2 weeks ago, the man whose very name means “God has given”) again challenges David to consider if his ways are God’s ways – and David realises that his greed and ego and arrogance has shifted his focus away from the will of God to the will of himself.

And he repents – and we know that God forgives.

Because repentance is not just about saying that we’ve sinned, but about doing a turn-around. Being intentional about turning away from sin; so as to prevent making the same error in future.

So when David hears Nathan’s pronouncement that his sin has been erased by God, he knows that he has been promised life.

He turns away from the sins of the world, and turns toward God’s promise to be ALIVE.

Our Epistle today assures us of the invitation for us all to live into the calling that God has for us – it’s an invitation into that ALIVEness that is assured!

We have been given grace.

We have been given gifts.

We have been given a ministry!

Not because of anything we did – that’s not how grace works – but because God *wants* for us to know that we are alive – that we are part of the family of God – that we are contributing to the building of the kingdom of God.

We are bearers of LIFE. We are bearers of God’s ALIVEness to speak the truth in love, to carry the message of joy, to build up the kingdom through the presence of God’s love.

We are ALIVE!

And yet… we still struggle. We still fumble and bumble through this existence, not fully embracing how gifted we are. How ALIVE we are.

The Gospel passage today shows us this – clearly! as the followers of Jesus get caught in earthly, existence-based stuff. They’re asking what Jesus will do for them now, rather than seeing who God IS through him. They have to be reminded that being a follower of Jesus doesn’t mean an eternally full belly – it’s not about eating the loaves of barley bread to maintain existence. It’s about feasting on the bread of life.

The people ask what work must be done – seems a reasonable question, when talking about eternal life! But they are existing still – and when they are told that the work of God is to believe in the one God sent!

This *should* elicit some hallelujahs and hand-flapping! Believe in God! THAT is the work!

But instead, it brings out more questions.

Earthly, existence, questions, asking that Jesus prove HIS aliveness to them.

Well. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? We’ve had those moments of doubt, those moments of uncertainty, those moments of questions. Because we’re human. It’s what we do.

And how very human, then, for the people, when they receive the answers from Jesus, that the bread of heaven has been coming to them for generations… that the Bread from heaven is right in front of them… that they ask the best question of the day.

Sir, give us this bread always.

Give us Jesus.

Give us God.

Give us LIFE.

Which, of course, is exactly what happens. Jesus assures them that they have already received the bread of life. That they are, in fact, basking in the ALIVEness of the spirit. That their belief is the bread that they crave.

And – taking it further – that their belief will then fuel their ministry: for receiving the bread of life is not about taking and preserving and collecting in secret; the bread of life is about being filled so that the good work can continue.

It satisfies the hunger of the soul; it quenches the thirst of the spirit; and these are the beginnings of mission and ministry. These sustain our engagement with the world. These nourish our life in faith; in thought, word, and deed. They feed us.

We are fed with the bread of life.

We are filled with the gift of being ALIVE.

We are blessed to be a blessing to the world – in the glory of God, in the service of Christ, in the wonder of the Spirit.

We ARE ALIVE! Do you feel it?

Amen.

Original Prayers, July 2021

04 JULY

Praying to the source of all love and all life, we pray Lord, hear and have mercy.

We pray for the church, for all who call themselves Christians, for all who will come to know your abounding love. We ask you to bless our leaders, asking they may remain faithful in their vocation and service.

Lord, hear and have mercy.

We ask you to bless Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family; the elected and appointed government officials both at home and abroad. Fill their hearts with your peace, that their work will allow your people to live in justice and harmony.

Lord, hear and have mercy.

We pray for Lunenburg, for those who live and visit here, that they may know your love through our actions. Help us to celebrate our connections and interactions with each other, as we strive to bring your mercy to this – and every – place.

Lord, hear and have mercy.

We pray for those in any need, of mind, body, or spirit. May those who are sick receive healing, may those who grieve receive solace, may those who are victims of society receive peace, may those who are in comfort receive opportunity to reach out in Christian love.

Lord, hear and have mercy.

This long weekend, we hold before you your children, our children. Guide their hearts this summer to seek you and love you, to enjoy their rest and re-creation, to grow in their faith. And help us reflect on all the children who were denied homes, all those for whom home is not safe, all those who do not know peace.

Lord, hear and have mercy.

We give thanks for those who have gone before us, leaving a legacy of faith for us to follow. We give thanks for family and friends, who enrich our lives and bring out the best in us. We give thanks for the basics of food and shelter, and are mindful of those who go without. Above all, we give thanks for your gift of love, as we strive to follow the ways of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

JULY 11

We pray, with hearts turned to God, whose mercy embraces the wideness of all creation, saying Hear us Lord, Your Mercy is great.

We pray for the universal church: living the mission of the Gospel in every time and place. We pray for our leaders, for our ministries, and especially this day with thanksgiving for the 20 years of Full Communion with our ELCiC family. We give thanks for the promise of continued Christian community with our friends in the Lunenburg Lutheran parishes, knowing that they continue to pray for us and with us. Hear us Lord,

Your Mercy is great.

We pray for the well-being of creation; appreciating the brightness of summer, and the bounty of the harvest; delighting in the gifts of land and sea and air, and respecting the interconnection of all creatures. For our role in the stewardship and protection of God’s earth; Hear us Lord,

Your Mercy is great.

We pray for peace and justice in the world, that our actions today may positively influence tomorrow. We pray for those in authority, especially this week praying for our newly named Governor General Mary Simon. Hear us Lord,

Your Mercy is great.

We pray for this community, and for every community. We pray for those who live and work here, and for those who visit. We commit to treating all with respect and dignity, that this place may reflect the love of Christ that has been so generously poured on us all. Hear us Lord,

Your Mercy is great.

We pray for those who experience poverty, those whose humanity is denied, those who are victims of oppression, those who struggle to meet the basics of life, those who are denied their full personhood. Empower us to speak for the voiceless, to encourage the downtrodden, to accompany the lonely. Hear us Lord,

Your Mercy is great.

We pray for those who are sick and suffering; for bodies that are failing, for minds that are weary, for spirits that are depleting. Refresh the exhausted, empower those who are caregivers, rejuvenate those whose emotional energy is low. Help us to help others, without judgement, to be restored to fullness of health. Hear us Lord,

Your Mercy is great.

We pray for ourselves; in our sorrows and our joys. We bring before you our community, praying for one another in our hearts and minds, and in our words and actions. We thank you for the amazing gifts of this life, for the blessings continually surrounding us, for the love that completely encompasses us, given through your Son Jesus Christ. Hear us Lord,

Your Mercy is great. Amen.

JULY 18

We come together as the family of God, raising our collective hearts and voices to the Lord, praying Lord, Hear our prayer.

We give thanks for the church, for the buildings that house our worship, for the technology that transcends physical boundaries, for the parish council who lead us in safety and in ministry. We ask you to bless the bishops and clergy who care for the communities in faith, and for the gift of our ministries serving your people. Lord,

Hear our prayer.

We pray for the Queen and her family; for the leaders of all nations, for those who offer themselves to public service. We ask you to guide and direct their hearts to care for their people well, with respect and integrity, that this world may become even better tomorrow than it is today. Lord,

Hear our prayer.

We offer thanks for these days of summer; for the opportunity of rest and repose, for the leisure to eat and drink, for the gifts of good weather and local delights. We hold in prayer those who are working in our midst, both seen and unseen, and ask your protection on all labourers. May the works of our hands be reflected in the beauty of our home town. Lord,

Hear our prayer.

We pray for those preparing for baptism, especially Judah, Wren, and Peter. We give thanks for their parents, godparents, and extended families who will strengthen their faith. We give thanks for our own baptism, and for the opportunities to live as the baptised every day. With great joy, Lord,

Hear our prayer.

We ask you to teach us to live with increased harmony with all of your creation; respecting the beautiful diversity of flora and fauna, of cultures and languages, of all your people and communities. Help us to live gently in our interconnection and interdependence, knowing this is an extension of our journey with you. Lord,

Hear our prayer.

We pray for those who are sick in body, mind, and spirit. We ask you to strengthen those who give their time and skill to caring; we ask you to energise those whose minds are given to research and healing. May we all be spiritually healed through our connections to you. Lord,

Hear our prayer.

We pray for those who are on the fringes of society; the lost, the least, the left-behind. Stir in our hearts such compassion to strive for systems and structures that serve all of your people. Inspire in us new ways to meet the needs of our neighbours, with dignity and compassion, delighting in the unity of the whole human family. Lord,

Hear our prayer.

We give thanks and praise for the wonderful grace, and expressions of love, that you continually shower upon us. We thank you for all the blessings of this life, for the gift of each new day, for the abundance of joy that you pour into our hearts. As we go forth this day, we carry your peace and share your love. Lord,

Hear our prayer. Amen.

JULY 25

We lift our hearts to you, O Lord, as we think of this your church. We ask your blessings to be abundant on our leaders: Primate Linda, Bishop Sandra, Archdeacon Simon. We ask your grace to be felt by all who come together in worship and praise. We ask your patience with us as we do our best to journey with you. We pray:

Hear us, Lord.

We pray for the leaders who govern our nations, for those who are elected, those who are appointed, those who are offering themselves to positions of power. Help them remain faithful to the calling of public service, that your whole creation may benefit from their leadership. We pray:

Hear us, Lord.

We give thanks for the gift of Lunenburg; for those who call this home, for those who visit, for those who are employed here. Help us to be a place of compassion, justice, and safety, doing our part to live and love with peace and unity. We pray:

Hear us, Lord.

We ask your mercy on those who face challenges and difficulties: for those who are sick or dying, and those who are caregivers; for those who experience need, for those feeling isolation and loneliness. Embrace us all with your love, that we may know the salvation of your healing touch. We pray:

Hear us, Lord.

We recognise the interconnectivity of your creation, and of our role within it; help us to care for each other with open hearts, to be awed by nature without thoughts of exploitation, to be active in making peace and justice a priority. Help us to live celebrating that the entirety of this world is in your hands. We pray:

Hear us, Lord.

We thank you, O God, for all the goodness in this life: for the privilege of worship, for the gifts of family and friends, for the abundance that we may take for granted, and mostly for the promise of redemption through Jesus. Keep us committed to an attitude of gratitude in all we do, that the world may know your glory through us. We pray:

Hear us, Lord. Amen.

Sermon, Pentecost +9 (B)

Are you hungry!

Well now that’s a loaded question, isn’t it? Because this is a sermon, not a conversation, most of you suspect that I’m not asking about waffles or scrambled eggs.

… except.

What if I am inviting us to reflect on physical hunger?

Are you experiencing a physical need? An empty belly? And all that follows – malnutrition, lower immunity to illness, lessened ability to concentrate…

Are you hungry?

…which leads to the next question.

If you are not hungry, Are you fed!

Chances are that if you are NOT physically hungry, then you have eaten. So you have been fed.

By whom? Where did the food come from this morning? Do you have food security (which means knowing where your next meal is coming from); do you have food sovereignty (which means having agency over your food system)?

Are you fed?

…which leads to my next question.

If you are fed, Are you feeding!

Because this is where we recognise that if we are fed, we can share of our excess with those who are hungry, now. Those who are food insecure, now. Those who are denied access, for whatever reason. Those who we pray for; and those who we are called to feed. Pope Francis once said “you pray for the hungry, and then you feed them. That’s how prayer works.”

So. Are you feeding?

This is exactly where our readings invite us into today. The joys of sharing a meal, of connecting with one another, and of living out a ministry of compassion.

Because being nourished – both with physical and spiritual bread – is prayerful ministry.

Our first reading today is speaking of bread – the man – whoever he is – has traveled with barley loaves and grains. The first fruits – considered the BEST of the crops, to be given and dedicated to the glory of God.

And with these, Elisha invites them to be given to… God’s people. To the hungry. The man’s offering is not opulent: barley loaves were the bread of the poor – the man is not rich. Yet, what he has to offer, he is invited to share with those less fortunate than he is. And his concern is that there isn’t enough: he himself cannot solve the problem of the needs of hunger.

Yet: he has faith, as does Elisha, that when the hungry are being fed in the name of God; God will provide.

And God does.

The empty bellies are filled; the depleted spirits are refreshed, the sense of community is renewed.

Because Elisha is not just speaking casually to meet a physical need: he is reminding the people of their covenant with God; how giving of their abundance is to the benefit of all.

He is reminding them of their connection with one another, with each others’ families, with the folks from far-off-towns, with everyone.

He is reminding them that in the most basic of things – loaves of barley – they are all given the opportunity to share in abundance, to exercise grace, and to faithfully live in covenant.

This is the joy that is echoed in the Psalm today, as the ordinary and everyday realities – like a loaf of bread – can be used to demonstrate the goodness of God. The faithfulness of God. The abundance of God. God’s gifts are for everyone: “So that the people may know you of your power, and the glorious splendour of your dominion.”

And this splendour is extolled in the letter to the Ephesians, as Paul waxes poetic about prayer. About holding up one another in prayer. About the connection and community that will come together in order to glorify God: knowing that this glory comes in the basic structure of the covenant:

love God; love each other.

Love, as fully and completely as possible – and then love some more.

Love with compassion and courtesy;

love with kindness and gentleness.

But also love with justice, and right actions.

Sometimes: love with bread.

Because for the people of God who are hungry, that bread IS an act of love.

And this is what Jesus shows in this recounting of the feeding of the multitudes. This is one of the only passages that is present in all 4 canonical Gospels, because it is IMPORTANT.

The Gift of bread is important.

The gift of acknowledging hunger; of being filled; and of feeding the hunger of our neighbours: this is important stuff.

And again. – Jesus is demonstrating that the access to being fed is for all. He again – as in the Kings offering – is using basic foods.

Barley loaves; the bagged sandwich bread of Biblical times.

And the fish – this is not freshly caught fish just off the boat; these are dried fish; preserved, portable, basic protein. The Sea of Tiberius’ tin of tuna.

And what a lesson Jesus teaches with these simple and accessible items.

The people are hungry – Jesus sees it.

The disciples would send them away, to fend for themselves;

But Jesus reminds his followers of the covenant: YOU give them something to eat.

You have a connection to these people, and so you are called not just to feed the hungry among you but to dine with them.

And Jesus doesn’t ask for details, but asks where bread can be found.

And the disciples jump to logic – uhhhh… we can’t afford that much bread.

And Jesus: I’d imagine the raised eyebrow here, as he waits for the next excuse, thinking “I didn’t ask if we could afford it; I asked where we could get it.”

Jesus teaches his disciples that it’s not always about human ideas; but that God will provide a solution.

How lovely then that someone else says – well, we’ve got a bit here, but it’s not enough.

I can almost hear Jesus’ Ah-HA!

Because with food, it’s not about having enough, it’s about sharing enough.

The miracle doesn’t happen right at the start when Jesus blesses the bread; the multiplicity is not a barrage of barley and flood of fish.

The miracle happens as the distribution of abundance happens. It’s in no one hoarding, or hiding; it’s in the sharing that the miracle takes place.

And we hear that people ate as much as they wanted; and then there was more left over.

Left overs for people to take home to their sick.

Left overs for people who hadn’t eaten in days, and had nothing at home for the next day.

Left overs for people who had families with children and elderly, and workers who hadn’t made the journey.

Left overs for whoever might need it – or want it.

Because the hungry had come.

They had been fed.

They had fed others.

They had received the gift of bread;

They had received the gift of Jesus.

And they had their fill.

Because God provides more than human hearts and minds – and bellies – can be filled with. God’s grace and gift is abundant.

So.

Are you hungry? for the bread of sandwiches and for the bread of life?

Are you fed? with nutrients for the body, and the nourishment of the soul?

Are you feeding? In an act of loving neighbour, and the privilege of loving God?

It’s a lot to think about: but as we hunger for Jesus, we should hunger for justice for one another as well.

As we are fed with physical food, we are spiritually nourished on the bread of life.

And as we are feeding those who are hungry, we are living in our covenant with God and with each other.

Truly: this is the Good News of God. Amen.