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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Proper 12 Yr B
Introduction
Introduction
Back-to-back miracles this week. The first is "feeding the 5000" story. The particulars: 5000 people following Jesus and disciples; time to eat; 5 loaves and 2 fishes; distributed to all; and LEFTOVERS! There were enough leftovers to fill TWELVE baskets. For me, this suggests that God is not just "sufficient" but abundant (and I am grateful). And for me, this suggests that I should be as abundant as I can.
Then, Jesus withdraws from the crowd. John suggests he was withdrawing to rejuvenate himself. We don't have that picture clearly but we do know that the disciples had started back across the water. And the water became disturbed so much that the disciples were afraid. So Jesus comes to them, walking across the water, saying "Do not be afraid. It is I." In my interpretation, Jesus is clearly saying he brings calm to my chaotic life. Sometimes it is Jesus coming to me through the chaos. Your thoughts? Comment here.
John 6:1-21
John 6:1-21
Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, . . .. A large crowd kept following him, . . .. When he [Jesus] looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” . . . One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. . . . Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. . . .
When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
From sermon4kids.com: “Some of us may only have a little. Some of us have been blessed with m more than we need. Either way, God is pleased when we share with others.”
Scripture: July 28, 2024—2 Samuel 11:1-15 (image); Psalm 14 (image); 2 Kings 4:42-44 (image); Psalm 145:10-19 (image); Ephesians 3:14-21 (image); and John 6:1-21 (image). A visual/audio journey through the scripture.
Collect: O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection: How does Christ feed you today?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 2 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
Symbols of the Church
Symbols of the Church
. . . When Melchizedek blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:17-24) and fed him wine and bread, it can be understood as a transcendent symbol of the way in which the Holy Spirit has been conferred upon Abraham in his role as a messenger of God. In a subsequent age, the same thing will happen to Jesus; he will be anointed by the Holy Spirit/King of righteousness /Melchizedek, and will join Abraham in becoming “another priest” who has spiritual authority “according to the order of Melchizedek.”
The bread and wine used by Melchizedek are destined to become symbols of enlightenment and remembrance in two major religions: Judaism and Christianity. After candles are lit to brighten the Sabbath evening, Jews will celebrate their covenant with God by drinking from a cup of red wine (or grape juice) and eating a braided loaf of challah bread. Christians will partake of bread and wine during the ritual of communion, using the mouthful of physical nourishment as an embodiment of the spiritual sustenance provided by Jesus. . . .
Read more at the Bahaiteaching.org website.
Click here for a page of symbols described in this publication.
Images enhancing
the scripture
"Loaves and Fishes" by John and Helen Mary Skelton is set into the wall of the Brighthelm Church and Community Centre, North Road, Brighton, Sussex. It was unveiled on 10th October 1987
“Gathering the fragments” by Jan Richardson
“The Feeding of the Five Thousand“, stained glass window, Lincolnshire
“The feeding of the 5,000” by Tintoretto
Music founded
in the scripture
“Bread for the world” by Bernadette Farrell
“Bread of life” by Bobby Fisher
“The eyes of all” by Jeanne Berger
Other voices
about the scripture
"Gather up the fragments" by Maria Evans
Commentary by John van de Lar
“We become what we consume” by Suzanne Guthrie
Students of Jesus sat up on a hill
Five thousand people with stomachs to fill
Learning the word, shouting with praise
Walking and walking for days upon days
When Jesus got ready to serve the main dish
He found five loaves of bread and two small fish
The disciples all panicked—what would they do?
There was not enough food to feed this large crew
“Pass out the food,” came Jesus’ loud voice
The disciples obeyed, they hadn’t a choice
Everyone ate until they were stuffed
By a miracle of God, there was more than enough
Baskets and baskets of food were collected
The disciples were joyous—this was unexpected
A miracle happened by Jesus’ small wish
To share five loaves of plain bread and two fish.
~Porcelain Princess
Movies representing some part of the scripture
“The Postman always rings twice” (1946, passed), consequences of David’s adultery, Review
“Phenomenon” (1996, PG), “bounties and mysteries of human spirit”, good description of value of eucharist, many parallels to the Easter story, Review 1, Review 2
For families: Study guide, group activity, snacks, kid video
For children: activity; bulletin games; craft;
For middlers: activity; bulletin games; craft.
For youth: While summer is not quite over, we're getting back to our "normal" routine of looking at the scripture for this Sunday. This is the familiar story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. For me, this is the impossible story. How could 5 loaves and 2 fish feed 5000? Have you ever been out with friends to get a snack and drink and you were all going to combine your resources? Many of you put in all the resources you had and, lo and behold, there was more than enough to get snacks and drinks for all. I certainly don't know how Jesus' miracle worked, but I think the generosity of the crowd of 5000 helped to make it happen. When the "loaves and fish" were passed around, instead of taking out, some put in. How else could there be leftovers? What do you think? Comment or share your thoughts on Friends of SSSJ Facebook page.
Today we begin a five-week period in which the gospel readings each Sunday are focused on Jesus’ feeding 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish, the response of the disciples and the crowds, and Jesus’ discourse on himself as the bread of life. It is from the apostolic memory of this event and the Gospel of John’s exposition of its meaning that the early Church began to develop its understanding of the meaning of the Eucharist. Note that Jesus performed the Eucharistic actions with the loaves and fish; he took, he blessed, he broke, and he gave.
Using II Samuel: The familiar, scandalous story of David’s affair with Bathsheba is our first reading today. Even the great king was corrupted by power. Realizing that her pregnancy would reveal his guilt, he seeks to persuade her husband, Uriah, who had sworn celibacy during a time of war, to sleep with her. Uriah remains faithful to his vow and David has him killed and takes Bathsheba as his wife.
Using II Kings: In a story strikingly similar to the feeding of the 5,000, the prophet Elisha shows God’s generosity when a crowd is fed from a seemingly insufficient supply of food. Throughout the sacred story, God’s care for us is described in miracles of feeding.
In today’s reading from Ephesians, the writer prays that the people may be strengthened by God’s Spirit so that Christ may dwell in them and that we may find ourselves living in God and rejoicing in God’s power working through us.
We are met by God in the Eucharist. Our baptismal state is renewed. We remember what God has done for us in Christ. We remember who we are. We are filled once again with the Spirit. We are fed in the mysteries of Christ’s Body and Blood. We are reconstituted as God’s People.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
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