Our brains are pretty amazing things.
Part of the fun is that we’re imperfect.sometimes we react to a situation before our brains have had a chance to actually assess what’s going on: and that can lead to some interesting outcomes.
Our amygdala – the most basic part of the brain kicks in a fight-or-flight response before it can connect off those neurons that lead to logic.
And this leads to an abundance of emotion-related chemicals flooding through our systems.
And thus: we find ourselves doing things that may or may not make sense… even to ourselves.
…unless we intentionally take the time to pause, breathe, and think.
When we just live in that moment, without some self-reflection and awareness, we can become so caught up in our emotions that we miss the bigger picture:
Spiritually speaking, this means that we can miss the blessing that is before us.
And: no one wants to do that. Because when the logical part of ourselves is in control: we WANT the blessing. We crave that goodness, that holiness, that divine presence.
But sometimes – our brains get in the way.
We become our own barricade.
This is happening in today’s scriptures:
King David defends Absalom, wanting special “gentle” treatment in the war.
He has aspirations for Absalom not only as his rebellious son, but as heir to the throne. The legacy bearer.
These are high expectations.
So even though David has been fairly reckless with the lives of the 20,000 other men killed in the battle, his son’s death – admittedly an unusual one – really catches him unprepared.
David has been so focused on empire building, that he has not been focused on building the community under his realm.
And now: he grieves. He realises that he has missed out on the blessing of a child: the individual, the person; not the heir apparent.
His focus was on himself; and missed the blessing that God had put right in front of him.
In Ephesians we hear what sounds like a simple checklist for ethical living: don’t spread falsehoods, stop thieving, share with the needy, etc. And these are all good.
There are also those spiritual directions that matter: use your words to give grace… do not grieve the Holy Spirit… do not make room for the devil. Also good advice.
It’s helpful for us to remember that such lists are not merely meant as hypotheticals, but they are in direct response to what Paul has been hearing about the community. That the physical and spiritual realities of Ephesus have some room for improvement.
And this is not overly surprising; for humans like to grumble and gripe; there’s a reason that gossip and snark travel much faster and further than news of goodness and love. It’s a timeless reality: complaining is juicier and more popular – you just need to follow any letters to the editor or online comments section.
So what’s happening in Ephesus is not unusual: they are so caught up in doing their own thing that they are missing out on the blessing of authentic Christian community.
The epistle also addresses the reality that emotions are going to get in the way sometimes: that they are normal, everyone has them, etc. Yet the letter is also VERY clear that our emotions do not justify our actions: we are called to accountability for what we do.
When the Ephesians are told: “be angry but don’t sin” and “put bitterness away from you” Paul is reminding them that by NOT acting in anger, they can be open to seeing the blessings that are there.
Reconciliation is a blessing; so is maintaining a relationship with healthy communications such that repairs are not necessary.
The blessings of kindness, forgiveness, and community are abundant – and to be valued
The Gospel passage today, the bread of life discourse, is a blessing of self-identification that Jesus is offering to the people.
These are the same people we’ve been journeying with the past few weeks: they’ve started following him because of the miraculous healings he’s done. They’ve been fed by the multiplication of loaves and fishes that he administered. They were mesmerised by his calming of the stormy sea. They have listened to his teaching and asked for more. They have heard him SAY that he is the bread of life, come down from heaven, as prophesied and foretold by the prophets of old, with echoes of Moses to affirm and strengthen his words.
…and yet: today: they complain.
How very human.
They even ask him directly – again – who he is. Because they’re trying to discredit him, to disbelieve, to find some loophole that gets them ‘off the hook’ from what it would mean to truly live a life following God.
“Are you really the Messiah?” “Yes I am.”
But they are so stuck in their patterns, their way of thinking, their ordered ordinary lives – that they can’t fathom the blessing that is standing before them.
They know his parents, after all. He couldn’t *possibly* be the Christ.
As though Mary and Joseph never discussed anything about his birth;
As though Jesus himself never demonstrated his divinity.
The emotion overpowered logic; their immediate reaction overtook the ability to see the blessing.
Despite Jesus’ continuing efforts to have these folks see and receive the blessing: they just won’t.
It makes us wonder:
What in our own lives is happening that we’ve become accustomed to, so we take it for granted?
What feeds us – physically, emotionally, and spiritually – in ways that gives us that confidence to live FULLY?
What was the last thing in our lives that was so spectacular, so transcendent, that we *KNEW* it was a blessing – and responded as such?
And: what are we going to do now? How will we engage both logic and emotion to live our faith to the best of our ability?
For the message of all these scriptures today is the assurance of blessing: right before us.
The psalmist speaks of forgiveness, and hope, and mercy, and redemption: all blessings; abundantly offered.
These blessings HAVE. NOT. STOPPED.
The promise that God has given us didn’t come with an end date.
The bread of life that came down from heaven does not spoil like its earthly counterparts.
The Good News of God is here: for all of us, for all times.
It is here for us to know as a blessing:
A blessing that we are given, and a blessing that we are called to give.
As bearers of the Gospel, we carry that Good News to the world –
In ways that move beyond the immediate brain reaction into the logical, faith-filled response.
Through actions that encourage community, compassion, and connection.
With a positivity that can overcome any of the naysayers in the world: including at times the voices we speak to ourselves.
Let us go into this week with confidence and hope:
To share the Good News.
To look for the blessings in our lives.
To trust in the nourishment of the bread of life.
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