Daily Readings for Monday, April 4, 2011
- Morning Psalms 119:73-80; 145
- First Reading Jeremiah 16:(1-9) 10-21
- Second Reading Romans 7:1-12
- Gospel John 6:1-15
- Evening Psalms 121; 6
I'm in Chicago today for three days of continuing education. My wake up call was at 4:30 a.m. I've been in class for nearly 8 hours. I'm finally relaxing in a hotel room and I don't think I can keep my eyes open much longer.
The story told in John's gospel lectionary reading today is the miracle of the feeding of the 5000. I've often thought that the miracle in this story is not that everyone was fed. Most likely the people who had gathered to hear Jesus preach were travelling and had food with them. Most likely the people saw the boy offer his meager lunch to Jesus and his disciples. The miracle is that the small act of one person inspired others to be generous with what they had.
And that's where I see the kingdom of God in this story. Jesus' message is one of community and in community people share what they have. The boy gave his lunch to the disciples so that they could eat. And this meal inspired the rest of the people gathered around Jesus to open their own lunch sacks and share - enough that there was plenty to go around.
The truth is that in community we have enough. We need to continue to learn to trust in the abundance of God's grace and to open up hands to share with others. Because with God - and in community with one another, we have all we really need.
Good night!
John C
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