Abundant Hospitality

The Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

John 6:1-21

Abundant Hospitality

“And when He had given thanks, He distributed them to those who were seated;

as much as they wanted”

    What will we really be able to accomplish? How will we ultimately help? Will I really be useful? How can what we do actually change anything at all? Without fail, these are the very same questions that I get from potential mission trip participants year after year after year. They are questions of worth, questions of capability, questions which, in a way, reveal a true desire in the hearts of each of us to do well. They are asked by people who want to solve problems, who want to help, who want to save, but who find themselves doubtful or skeptical once they have confronted the enormous and seemingly unstoppable issues at hand. For me, these are questions that are not actually all that different from the one posed by Phillip to Jesus in this morning's Gospel: “But what are they among so many people?” In other words, Jesus, how in the world are we going to pull this one off?

    

    They are hard questions, and yet, they do have an answer. However, the answer to those kinds of questions often comes in various either striking or subtle, but completely unexpected ways. See the true answer is found in a heart felt hug from a squatter village child after receiving the smallest of gifts, the kind that our children might receive in a happy meal box, or birthday party gift bag. The true answer is found in an expression of gratitude from a local hospital nurse, who, while on her daily shift was so moved that she had to stop and sincerely thank our doctors for “caring enough to come and help her people.” The true answer is found in the words of a patient who just before her anesthesia takes over, musters enough strength to look into her care provider's eyes and say, “thank you, you are my blessing,” and in the words of the wife of a suffering pulmonary patient who stresses, “I know that you were called by God, to be here for us.” It is in these interactions, in these experiences, that I believe the true point for us is found, both the true point that lies behind the reason for ALL mission work, and the point that I think is sometimes missed in today's Gospel lesson. How can what we do actually change anything at all? Jesus, how in the world are we going to pull this one off?

    We see Jesus this morning in the midst of the famous feeding of the 5,000. An incredible event not only because of its miraculous achievement, but also for its historical significance. It is the first, and actually one of very few instances in the Bible where John's account of an event lines up almost perfectly with the other synoptic Gospels, which in the mind of many would seem to lend even more support to the event's authenticity and perhaps even accuracy. But is that all there is to this story? I mean, is such a miraculous event simply about Jesus alleviating the hunger of 5,000 people?

    I would like to suggest this morning, that the answer is no, and that there is indeed much more to today's Gospel. You see, in mission work, the point of the trip is never really the project at hand. It is not really just about the floor we are laying, or the play ground we are constructing, or the walkway we are destroying and rebuilding, or even the medical treatment we are providing, regardless of how tedious, challenging, and yet rewarding those projects may be. It isn't even just about the school supplies, or the shoes, or the toys that are given. At the end of the day, it is all really about the interaction, the relationship, the abundant hospitality that is present just below all the surface actions, and the immense effect that that kind of open love can have on the world. With this morning's Gospel, just like in mission work, there is a reason behind the reason to be found as well. For me, the real point is found in the idea that within this single moment, 5,000 are not only being given the bread that would fill their bellies, but they are also at the same time being offered the Bread of Life which would fill their souls.

    That is our take home message, it is about the outrageously abundant hospitality of God. It is about the giving of the Bread of Life, the Light, and lovingly welcoming all. You see, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we are actually no different than the 5,000 in today's Gospel lesson. We are those who come to Christ, who come before God hungry, every single Sunday, every single day, and He is the One who welcomes us, each of us, without fail and unconditionally, and infinitely offers us all that we need; His presence and Love, that which nourishes us, that which sustains us, that which keeps us whole. Just as in this morning's Gospel, here at the altar rail, and every time we take time out of our busy lives to recognize, pay attention to, and reconnect with Christ, He offers us Himself, the Bread of Life.

    But today's message does not stop there. Because now that we have been given the Bread of Life, now that He lives and moves within each of us, we also carry a great responsibility. Though we often look out at the problems of the world or the issues that are in front of us and ask the same questions as Phillip and our missionaries, now it is time to realize that the job we are called to, is to do the same. To feed others. To be the Bread of Life in the world, and to not fall into the trap of inactivity, of becoming stagnant Sunday morning Christians, just because we too often concentrate and focus on those overwhelming questions.

    You know you don't have to go on a mission trip to understand or experience the kind of abundant hospitality that I have tried to point to today. Actually, we have ministries right here in our own church which know this kind of reason behind the reason very well. Just take a look at our Fish Hospitality Pantries on this very important peanut butter Sunday, look at Family Promise, look at the Stephen Ministry, and there are many more. When food is given to someone at a Fish Pantry or is delivered from the doors of Ascension, so much more is happening. Yes, there are people with needs, and yes, hunger is an issue, and in part we are working to fight that, but what is really received in the experience underlying the interaction of the people at that pantry, just like in our Gospel lesson today, is a bread that will begin to alleviate a hunger that is much more profound than any physical sensation. When a family is welcomed to our church through Family Promise, and makes our building their home for a week, what is really received in the experience underlying the open armed reception, acceptance, and support of those families, just like in our Gospel lesson today, is a Light that will begin to fill the darkest and most empty of homes. It is the Bread of Life. It is the Light of Jesus Christ.

    That is the point for us all today, that is what we are to emulate and to be, having already been given the bread of life, and indeed reliving that reality every time we come to the Lord's table. Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we are to be the Bread of Life in this world, taking the Light and Love of Christ that we receive here, having been unconditionally welcomed over and over again with open arms ourselves, and going out into the world, out there, to radically welcome and nourish all with the very same. So today, I challenge you. Today I want to challenge you all, especially if you have never done so, to just once put yourself in the position to experience what I am talking about this morning, to just once try and find out what is really going on behind such actions. Just once, go out to one of our Fish Hospitality Pantries and give a few hours. Just once, sign up to bring a meal or babysit for an evening when Family Promise is next here. Just once, connect to any one of the wonderful ministries offered here at Ascension. Go and feed the hungry. Go and welcome the lonely. Go and Do, and Be the Bread of Life that you already are. In doing so, you will see, just as we see in Jesus' actions today, that feeding a hungry mouth or multitude can temporarily alleviate hunger, but welcoming with the abundant hospitality and love of God will change the world.

“And when He had given thanks, He distributed them to those who were seated;

as much as they wanted”

Amen.