Love Matters More: Loving Community

 John 6:1-13 (CEB)

After this Jesus went across the Galilee Sea (that is, the Tiberias Sea). A large crowd followed him, because they had seen the miraculous signs he had done among the sick. Jesus went up a mountain and sat there with his disciples. It was nearly time for Passover, the Jewish festival.

Jesus looked up and saw the large crowd coming toward him. He asked Philip, “Where will we buy food to feed these people?” Jesus said this to test him, for he already knew what he was going to do.

Philip replied, “More than a half year’s salary worth of food wouldn’t be enough for each person to have even a little bit.”

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said, “A youth here has five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that for a crowd like this?”

Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass there. They sat down, about five thousand of them. Then Jesus took the bread. When he had given thanks, he distributed it to those who were sitting there. He did the same with the fish, each getting as much as they wanted. When they had plenty to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather up the leftover pieces, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves that had been left over by those who had eaten.

Today we were supposed to recognize and honor two individuals who went above and beyond the call of sharing their gifts with the community. 

We will do so at a later date

Clarena Huffington was a beloved English teacher at Arsenal and Arlington High School.  

One of the favorite things I remember being said about her was when two former students talked about how they would cut up in her class so that they would get in trouble with her and have to come in to clean the chalkboard after school.  

They said that they enjoyed her so much, that they did this with great regularity!

Clarena loved the arts and was a major supporter of the symphony.

But she also loved children.

After she died, Meridian Street was left with a lovely legacy gift from her estate, and the trustees voted to use a portion of that gift to re-do the playground on the sports field.  

Just as the pandemic started, we were in the process of getting that playground built.  It got finished last summer.

Be sure to stop out and see Clarena’s Neighborhood Playspace, on the far side of the sports field.

We were all shocked last December when Jody Clay, our longtime caretaker of Meridian Street died of cancer.  Many of you did not even know that he was sick, because he didn’t want people feeling sorry for him.  

Plus, Jody was convinced that he would beat the cancer.

Jody was a pretty humble guy.

But he loved Meridian Street.

When I first arrived, he would often stand close to me and tell me all about you.

He seemed to know something about everyone!

He knew your children and grandchildren by name.

He was loved by the children of our Children’s Day In Ministry – and he loved them!

Jody truly was a gift.

After we completed the playground across the soccer field --- the Trustees began in earnest working to get the small Children’s Day In program playground updated.  

The equipment was really starting to show its age, and it just was not very welcoming.

Plus, the way the ground sloped --- it tended to hold water and send it into the building.

After much research and hard work, the Trustees decided to move forward with replacing the playground and adding a raingarden to deal with the poor drainage issue.

Construction was to begin late this spring, so that things could get planted and hopefully be open before Children’s Day In went on their summer recess. (the end of May)

Well, like most things during this pandemic, it didn’t go according to plan, and it is still not finished.  

It may be August before it is now completed.

Shortly after Jody died, many of you caused a groundswell to begin as to how we might honor him and his legacy.

Many different ideas were brought to the Trustees.

But the whole time we had the perfect project already on the table.

Jody loved the Children of CDI and they loved him back. There is no way better to honor Jody than with the dedication of Jody’s Playground to his memory.

In our story this morning, the only miracle story told in all four Gospels, Jesus is preaching on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, and it is getting late in the day.

There isn’t a Jug’s catering close by to get enough food for the crowd --- and the disciples are starting to get worried.

John wants us to know that Jesus is trying to test the disciples so that they can learn (once again) that he is the promised messiah.

During all this commotion we are told that a youth came up to the disciples and offered to share his five barley loaves and two fish. 

The disciple’s response is priceless: “What good is that for a crowd like this?”

Jesus has everyone find a place to sit on the lawn, and as they are getting settled:

Jesus took the bread. When he had given thanks, he distributed it to those who were sitting there. He did the same with the fish, each getting as much as they wanted. When they had plenty to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather up the leftover pieces, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves that had been left over by those who had eaten.

It is an interesting story, and begs the question: what is Jesus trying to teach us here?

There are a number of possible explanations and theories about this story, but I just want to share a couple of thoughts.

First, this is a story demonstrating Jesus’ compassion.

We see this in the first part of the passage when it is mentioned that Jesus was traveling and healing the sick at the same time. 

At the end of the day, the disciples wanted the crowd to go away because it was getting dark. 

But Jesus wants the people to stay and figures out a way to feed them.

The story demonstrates that Jesus’ compassion is endless --- without bounds. 

His priority was still the crowd that was following him.

Second, Jesus demonstrates that he is big enough for whatever expectation we might have of him.

Jesus seemingly overcomes all the obstacles that the disciples perceive and demonstrates once again, especially in John’s telling of this story, that he is the Messiah, the chosen one of God.

And while those are significant, that is not what I want to focus on.

This story is an example of the table fellowship that was at the center of Jesus’ ministry.

Jesus invites the crowd to break bread with him. 

While Jesus could have performed this sign by himself, what makes this story special is Jesus choose to use the young boy’s willingness to share what he had as an example to others.

The twelve basket that are collected is the first food redistribution --- the sharing will continue --- so that none is wasted.

But what really captures my attention in this story is the young boy.

The disciples, though doubtful at first, witness the boy’s generosity --- his openness --- and the way Jesus transforms that generous, though small gift into something much greater. 

In asking the disciples to gather up the leftover bread, Jesus both emphasizes the miracle that has taken place and invites them to participate in the community of table fellowship. 

They become participants in Jesus’ work of serving and feeding.

Through the generosity and the gifts of the community, the crowd is fed. 

While we are called to witness to the identity of Jesus in this story --- we are also called to witness to his identity by engaging in service to the community in mission. 

When we share our gifts, we strengthen and build community. 

We also claim our own identity as people who belong to Jesus’ community. 

This is not a community characterized by insiders and outsiders but, first and foremost by what it has received, which is, of course --- the grace of Jesus Christ.

That is why the debate among our Roman Catholic friends about who can receive communion is so silly.

None of us deserve it --- or can earn it --- it is grace --- a gift from God.

And the way that we witness to that grace is by serving others. 

It is also important for us to recognize that Jesus understood attending to basic physical needs as an essential piece of evangelism and a tangible sign of God’s grace.

But before we go too far, I want to go back to that little boy.

First of all --- how many little boys or girls --- have we ignored because we didn’t think that they had anything to contribute?

That was certainly the disciples’ attitude toward him.

But Jesus saw what the boy had to offer --- and he blessed it!

And more importantly --- IT WAS ENOUGH!

I can’t tell you how often I have heard from church members: “I can’t do that.”

Of course, we can’t solve the world’s problems.

Of course, we can’t teach everything about God and Jesus.

Of course, we can’t do it all.

But, like the boy --- we can offer what we have.

And when we do --- we strengthen the community and expand the kin-dom.

And when we offer what we have --- it is enough!

One of the things about being a P.K --- a preacher’s kid --- that I didn’t always understand growing up is that your parent is not just yours.

They belong to the community.

I think I realized that more when I wrestled with those boundaries as a parent and pastor --- and gained a whole new appreciation for my father.

Tomorrow, I will gather with that larger community to celebrate not just his life --- but the fish and bread that he shared with others.

In 1985 when Stewart died, a member of that community gave me a gift.

She really didn’t know me --- because I was off on my own when my parents moved to Downers Grove.  But she blessed me, nevertheless.

Many of you have commented on this stole --- which, when I wear it, I am always reminded of the larger community that we are all a part of.

But, every stole that I wear has a story.

And I image that is true with most pastors.

When my father retired, he could have given me all his stoles, but he didn’t --- he gave me just a select few --- each with their own story.

One that I often wear is this one --- which was given to my dad at Stewart’s death --- they even made matching paraments for the church.

One of my favorite stoles was a more recent gift --- by the mission team which went to Guatemala in 2018.

It was given to remind me that God loves us all --- and that Love Matters More!

And just recently I was gifted a stole that I have not even had the opportunity to wear yet.  

Maybe more than any other, it is a reminder of the larger community of which I am blessed to be a part in.

This is the stole that was given to Jeff Burris at his ordination.

I am honored --- and humbled --- that Nancy Hardin shared this with me.

This is the community that we are invited to be a part of.

Who has shared their fish and loaves with you?

How did these gifts change you?

I know that they have changed me.

The Thursday lunch break group is reading a real challenging book right now: “White Too Long” written by Robert Jones, head of the Public Religion Research Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that conducts research on issues at the intersection of religion, culture and politics.

It is one of the most disturbing books I have read in a long time.

We all need to read it --- but don’t read it alone --- find a group to read it with.

I cannot remember experiencing the heartbreak that this book has caused me.

I have found myself in tears while reading it.

As I was re-reading the chapter for this week’s discussion, I found myself distraught.

Almost to the place of tendering my resignation as pastor.

I cannot even describe the state I found myself in.

As Thursday rolled around and we met, it was the fish and bread from my fellow travelers that sustained me and gave me the strength to carry on.

And as I worked on this sermon, and remembered the community that I have been blessed to be a part of --- and the people who have come forward to share their gifts --- I find not only sustenance in that --- but also hope.

In the book of Hebrews, we are reminded that: 

So then, with endurance, let’s also run the race that is laid out in front of us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up, and fix our eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter. 

We are indeed, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses!

Yesterday, we gathered at Crown Hill to remember one such Saint.

Audra Hansen --- she loved to help people.

At every church I have served, there is always an Audra.

Who, by many peoples standards does seem to have a great deal

But gives all that they have to God

And Audra’s gifts were immense.

Like the little boy --- whose name is lost --- the Audra’s of this world are often forgotten, but their actions live on in the lives of those who were blessed by them --- often times without them even knowing it.

How is God calling you to use your resources and gifts to build and serve the greater community?

Who might we have overlooked, thinking, like the disciples did of that little boy, thinking they did not have much contribute?

In this Summer of Love --- let us take time to bless the communities that we are a part of --- and maybe, just maybe --- find some new communities to bless --- sharing the loaves and the fishes that God has given to us.