Monday, July 25, 2011

Looking Forward to July 31, 2011 -- 7th Sunday After Pentecost

The Scripture Readings this week are:
  • Isaiah 55:1-5
  • Matthew 14:13-21

The Sermon Title is What do you Have?

Early Thoughts: There is so much need in the world. There are so many places asking for out time, our talent, our treasure. It can be overwhelming can't it?

Jesus hears that a friend (cousin? mentor? teacher?) has died.  And so he wants to go off to a private place.  But it doesn't work, word gets out, and the crowds descend upon his refuge. 

Jesus could have kept going farther but instead he sets aside his time and meets the people where they are.  But the kicker comes later in the day, as meal time falls.  The disciples encourage Jesus to disband the group so they can go obtain food.  Jesus says, "well if they are hungry then give them something to eat"

Give them something to eat.  Give them what they need.  the words echo through the centuries.  And the response does too -- "we can't do that, we do't have the money" -- a response not voiced in this version of the story but surely in the minds of the disciples.

Well what DO you have?  What can you do with that?  Jesus takes what they have and feeds the multitude.  We could spend hours debating what really happened on the lakeshore that day and still miss the point.  What do you have?  What resources are available?  Give them something to eat.  Help as you can.  The instruction remains.

It is the basis of faithful stewardship -- use what you have as best you can to help meet the needs of the people around you.

SO, in the face of the needs around you, what do you have?

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