Using our resources.

A sermon for July23, 2006

John 6:1-15

Today’s gospel is rich in lessons. There are miracles and we could spend hours talking about how God (or Jesus) multiplied the loaves and all were fed and how great is our God for this marvelous act. But I think the gospel holds more for us than that. I think the Lord may very well be showing us a plan. It’s a four part plan telling us to 1) use what is available, 2) gives thanks for what we have to use, 3) to trust God for the increase, and 4) to waste no resources.

1) We are to use what we have available.

I chose the reading from John today instead of the reading from Mark. I know why I like this reading better – it’s because this reading is more personal. In John, the disciples are named and in the naming, they begin to take on personalities. Philip is asked by Jesus, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” And we learn something about Philip. Philip is a, “the glass is half empty” kind of guy – the “naysayer.” He’s saying, “We don’t have the resources available…” He’s the kind of guy that can list every reason why it can’t be done. You all know people like Philip.

During my senior year in seminary, we had a project to design a special event for an imaginary parish. My group of four (three of us are now priests in the Diocese of Texas) planned a special event for the day of Pentecost. It was elaborate and bold and well received by many in our class. It started with an early Eucharist, a Christian Ed project that went out into the community to invite others in, a Barbecue lunch for all comers, a festival on the church lawn and ended with an outdoor festive evensong at 5:30 pm.

Then the naysayers started in on us – and picked apart the whole project and told us every reason why it couldn’t be done. I remember one of my classmates, now a curate at the Cathedral, really got upset listening to all the obstacles that were brought up. He finally had enough, got up and let the whole class have it. “My classmates have just presented an innovative project that goes beyond the scope of ordinary and all you people can do is criticize them when you should be applauding them.” And he stormed out of the room leaving everyone in stark silence.

Philip was like my classmates - he wasn’t even willing to consider that the project could be done – even after seeing the kinds of signs that Jesus was doing all over the countryside. He’s still sitting out there with his calculator figuring up that they can’t afford to buy enough for each person to have even a bite. Philip makes a definitive statement, “IT CAN’T BE DONE!”

Andrew is not quite as bad – but he is still something of a realist – maybe like those from Missouri, the “show me” state. At least he goes out and looks at the resources. “Here is a lad who has five small barley loaves and two small fish. But what are they among so many?” Now, what this lad had was a meal for the less prosperous. Rich people ate wheat – not barley – that was for the commoners.

Most likely this lad had run home telling his mother, “Mom, the new teacher is here – the one from Nazareth that everyone is talking about. He’s headed out to the hillside, may I go, too, please.” And his mother (being a good Jewish mother, of course) replied, “Sure you can go, but first, let me fix you a lunch to carry along.” When Andrew says five small barley loaves – he’s talking about something nearer the size of a muffin and the two fish probably weren’t much larger than sardines.

So, we have Andrew taking time to check the resources and bring them to Jesus even through he is somewhat skeptical. He is still willing to be shown the power of God. Opposed to Philip’s definitive statement, Andrew asks a question bordering on, “HOW can it be done?”

In reading today’s gospel lesson, I am reminded of my first Sunday here – just 4 short weeks ago. That was the Sunday that we ran out of bread… Oops! We did find and bless more bread – and all was well. But what I found out later is that I was distributing larger portions than other clergy have given in the past. Well, I just want to make sure that you I’m all about the abundance of Christ. We read in this lesson that he gave them “as much as they wanted – and they were satisfied. “ And not only were they satisfied, but after they were full, twelve baskets were gathered from the remaining fragments. This speaks of the abundance of the gift that Christ offers to us.

2) We are to do this with thanksgiving.

We are always to be grateful for what God gives us to work with. Jesus takes what is offered to him and he gives thanks. “Lord, we give you thanks for all your gifts, but especially for the bread that you have provided for this meal…”

Almost a year ago, Sam and I had planned to go to New York state for a contemplative retreat over the Labor day weekend. Well, this was a few days after Katrina. I was feeling a little guilty about going away at this time, but wasn’t sure what I could do if I stayed. Our reservations on the flight were non-refundable so we went. One young man on the flight was from New Orleans and told the story about how he had gotten out. He was originally from New York so he was going back home. During the flight, we were served a meal – a sandwich, salad, and a cookie. I made some comment like, “I bet a meal like this would really be appreciated by the people who are stranded in New Orleans.” This guy sneered and said something to the effect, “People down there wouldn’t eat this trash. They’d rather survive on chips and pop.”

I didn’t say anything, but I wanted to. This wasn’t a great meal, but it was adequate. And believe me, I’ve had some pretty bad meals in my life. I only thought Santa Fe High School cafeteria food was bad – I learned what bad was when I ate a lunch at Hilltop prison in Gatesville – that didn’t even border on edible.

I read a story yesterday about the evacuees from Lebanon who were being taken by helicopters and naval “vessels. Many of these people praised their rescuers’ efficiency and kindness. One person commented. They gave so much more than we expected. They carried our luggage, they gave us food, they did everything for us." I really appreciate the fine job that our military is doing in getting the evacuees out of a war zone. It’s not easy when you are trying to move that many people without getting shot yourself.

About 1,000 Americans were taken to a massive "camp-bed city" set up on a fairground in the Cypriot capital. One person said, "If it's going to be like this here in Cyprus, perhaps I should start looking for a way to go back to Lebanon."

That sounds an awful lot like the Hebrews after they crossed the Red Sea and began to wander in the desert and complained to Moses the whole time. I guess that person thought they should have been put up in the Hilton and taken to restaurants for dinner. I think some people don’t even understand the seriousness of things and therefore they can’t be grateful for anything.

3) We are to trust God for the increase

Jesus took the bread and the fish and gave thanks and broke it. According to the Marken version he then gave it to his disciples and they in turn gave it to the people. And all ate and all were filled.

I’ve said it before and you will hear it again. We are not responsible for the outcome of our actions. We are to be faithful in the things God calls us to be faithful in. We are not responsible for the results. Sometimes we think we have to force something to happen, but we don’t. We need to learn to do the things we can do, and trust God to do the God-type things.

My son, Andy and his friend, James were painting houses for James’ dad, a contractor. As they painted the banisters of a large porch they got half way through and realized they only had a ¼ bucket of paint left. James remembered a Bible lesson and asked Andy, “Isn’t there something in the Bible about God multiplying something?” Andy said, “Yeah, Jesus fed 5000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish.” James said, “Well, maybe if we pray, he’ll do the same thing with the paint” So here are these two 19 year old boys, on the front porch of a house with their hands stuck out over a bucket of paint praying for God to multiply the paint so they can finish the job before James’ dad got back. And you know what? He did! They had enough paint to finish the porch railings.

Sometimes we look at the tasks before us and wonder how we are ever going to be able to do them with our meager gifts. But then we have to remember that God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called. A number of years ago I remember going to a revival at a non-denominational church and I remember being called to re-dedicate my life to Christ. I didn’t know what that was going to look like, and I thought all I had to offer was my music. But I told God at that time to take me and use me any way he saw fit. I just didn’t expect it to be as a priest!

But regardless of what God calls you to do, you are simply to bring to God what you have, and trust God to use the resources we provide to accomplish the tasks he has in mind.

4) We are to waste no resources.

After they had all had their fill, the disciples gathered up the fragments so that none would be wasted. And God tells us to do the same. The resources that God gives to us might be money, or maybe other gifts and talents. Remember the Gifts of the Spirit are many, to be teachers, preachers, healers, administrators, etc. And they are given to us, not for our own benefit – not to brag about or to flaunt before others – but they are given for the benefit of others – to help others, that they might come to see Christ more clearly. When we have talents and resources, we are compelled not to waste those gifts. God will never take us to task for using up those gifts or for those gifts wearing out from use. However, we will be confronted if we allow them to rust out from non-use.

But that doesn’t mean that we have to run around trying to do everything ourselves. We have to know, just as Jesus did, when it is time to leave. When Jesus realized that the people had focused too much on him and not on the power of God working through him, he withdrew to a mountain by himself – once again to humble himself before God and to refresh and to renew.

There is a prayer I use quite often – and I like to sing it. It is one that lets me focus on my relationship with Jesus. It’s number 654 in the hymnal. Please join me in singing this prayer

Day by day, dear Lord of thee three things I pray,

To see thee more clearly,

Love thee more dearly,

Follow thee more nearly,

Day by day.

Please feel free to comment. Send an email to me at nan@doerrworks.com