Photo by Kate Remmer on Unsplash
Karen Hollis | July 28, 2024
Pentecost 5
John 6:1-15 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ 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. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 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 the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’
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.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be reflections of your word to us today, in Christ’s name we pray. Amen
Many of you know that I have spent many summer seasons with my hands in soil, planting, watering, weeding, trellising, and harvesting food. I love this season of garden plots overflowing with produce and farmer’s markets full of what is most fresh and flavourful. In this season of abundance, we receive the fruits of the whole growing cycle, from the composting of last year’s roots and leaves, to the stillness and rest of winter, tilling and planting of spring, and the work of sunshine and water with plants to create tomatoes, blueberries, cucumbers, zucchini, lettuce, and soon blackberries, apples, pears, and more! (this is making me a bit hungry for lunch) We are drawn in by these foods that come directly from earth and directly connect us with God’s cycle of renewal and abundance . . . in some way, our bodies ask for them.
We went out to brunch once at a restaurant in Vancouver, where I ordered this skillet meal that came with several different cooked and fresh components nestled in there next to one another. It didn’t look like a lot of food, but it was so masterfully prepared that eating it became an event, an experience that kind of unfolded before me as I tasted different combinations of flavours and textures from my plate. As I ate, it became an altogether emotional, mental, physical, and even spiritual experience. With all of these aspects of myself heightened, I eventually found myself settled into my body, not just full, but completely satiated by the food and the experience . . . and in my state of relaxation, I felt my body gave thanks for the sustenance I received.
I wonder about the meal Jesus serves on the grassy hill . . . the one we’ve heard so many times in the different gospels. In John’s version, Jesus sees the people approaching . . . people who have previously seen Jesus heal and teach, and are utterly drawn in by hope, by connection, by his energy . . . by his presence and how it changes them – he sees them approaching and immediately takes responsibility for feeding them. It’s not like he’s been teaching them all day, as in Mark’s gospel, and the time has come for a meal. In this telling, Jesus knows that the people who approach him are HUNGRY. They have a hunger from their bellies down to their bones. They have a hunger that all the bread in all the land cannot satiate. Still, Jesus begins with bread and fish . . . and when Jesus tells the disciples to have the people sit down on the abundant green grass, for those with ears to hear, there is a spark of recognition of Jesus as the Good Shepherd . . . the one who sees to the sheep’s every need. The first thing the shepherd does is show them to a field of green grass where they can feast. Jesus takes the loaves, gives thanks and personally distributes them – and the fish – to the people.
There is something so satisfying about bread – we love fresh food – and there’s something about bread. (I promise it will be lunchtime soon) We love to chew it and taste it . . . sigh in satisfaction as the bread gently fills our bellies. Bread puts our feet on the ground and reminds us we are in a body. It’s the most basic and essential of all foods. It’s a food for all seasons, all cultures, all generations.
Bread is a central piece of the Jewish culture – Jesus’ culture – undoubtedly due to the exodus story. Having just escaped slavery in Egypt, the Israelites begin to complain about their hunger – “in Egypt, at least they had food to eat.” Now in the wilderness, they are utterly dependent on God, but haven’t yet learned to trust that God will provide. Through Moses, God tells them to eat the quail in the evening who came around the camp, and in the morning, when the dew lifts, find the fine flaky substance that remains. They are to gather this and bake it . . . God said about this manna, “I will rain down for you bread from heaven.”1 Every day the Israelites gather manna. If they save some for the next day, it will spoil, except for the Sabbath . . . they can gather extra for the Sabbath. God teaches them in this way that this food is like God’s presence with them . . . it is to receive today, it is for nourishment today, not to be stored away for the future. After a period of testing God, learning, and adjusting, this food and pattern of living sustains them for 40 years in the wilderness.
It’s understandable that it would take them a while to accept their complete dependence on God. It’s quite human to forget. In today’s world, we all know intellectually that everything we have comes from God, that God continues to provide for us . . . though there’s a bit of a disconnect when we get our food from packaging and produce from the grocery store. When you remember that you are ultimately reliant on God, what is your response? Take a moment and check in with your body . . . remembering your dependence on God. Is that a comforting thought? Does your body relax in gratitude? Or perhaps you tighten up or become anxious because (deep breath in) “it means I’m not in control!” Or maybe you experience a range of responses.
Whenever bread is consumed by our Jewish friends, including at Friday Shabbat services, the people pray: “Blessed are you Eternal God, ruler of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.” Bread from heaven, bread from the earth . . . God provides it all. Alongside this affirmation, a Jewish friend of mine is quick to ask: is it really bread that comes from the earth? Are there bread plants that just grow loaves for us to pick? I love ease with which she wonders. Where does bread come from? Yes, God provides. Wheat is cultivated directly in the earth, harvested, and separated from the chaff. It is ground down into flour . . . we could eat that. Bruce German, a food scientist at UC Davis, is quoted as saying “If I gave you a bag of flour and water you could live on it for a while but eventually you would die. But if you take that same bag of flour and water and bake it into bread you could live indefinitely.”2 So, there’s something else . . . something happening beyond the raw ingredients that God provides. Baking flour and water into bread unlocks nutrients that aren’t available in the raw ingredients, themselves. The whole bread-making process is a collaboration between the gifts of God through the earth, human creativity and skill, and divine inspiration. We mix flour with water, sometimes leavening, bake it and bless it.
In our Christian tradition, we bring the bread to our communion service and dedicate it back to God, who then gifts it again to us as something new . . . food for the journey. Like Jesus standing there in front of the crowd, he blesses the modest offering, and it becomes something else, something new that fills people, brings them hope and joy. And like with any great meal, they linger and enjoy the present company.
Like God’s presence, this food is not something to store up and save for another day. We celebrate it today, consume it today, and allow it to sustain us today . . . with hope and faith that another provision will be given tomorrow. Thanks be to God.
1. Exodus 16
2. https:legacyforlife.com/blog/michael-pollans-history-of-bread