Proper 17, Year B

Bridging the Gap


Readings: 2 Samuel 11:1-15; Psalm 14; Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-15

In the Old Testament reading we are directed away from the public life of King David into his bedroom, his very private life. It is not a pretty picture. In fact one might wonder if this is the same David at all. This surely cannot be the same David whose story has unfolded over the past few weeks. David, the shepherd boy whom God chose to lead the people of Israel, to be their King, David who danced with joy before God as the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the city, David who renewed his Covenant with a loving God?

For today we hear of David’s torrid affair with Bathsheba. And the story does not end with his adulterous behaviour. The story goes on to tell of David’s conniving to unite husband and wife in an attempt to cover up his own guilt. Having failed in his attempt, he engineers the death of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, clearing the way for his own marriage to her. His self-serving willfulness is in direct contrast to his previous acceptance of God’s will.

Indeed, what place does such a story have in Scripture? What could it possibly teach us about Christian living? Yet it is not the only example of its kind in Scripture. We read many examples of people wanting to do good, and yet doing wrong. It is reflected in the words of Paul when he admits that the things he wants to do are the very things he doesn’t do, and things he doesn’t want to do are the very things he does. And do we not all resonate with that?

It is the struggle we all face, for it is part and parcel of our human nature. It is not that we condone such behaviour. It is that the struggles of David and of Paul are such human struggles. Hearing such stories may give us heart as we deal with our own struggles. We too want to do good, even to be good. Most of the time we manage to suppress what we recognize as being evil. But far too often we are simply unable or unwilling to distinguish between right and wrong. Even when we know the difference, we can choose to ignore it.

It is a paradox which pervades all of society. It is systemic. We do not have to look very far to know that. A look at any newspaper reminds us of that fact. We see it on every newscast. Wherever there is war or an act of terrorism, it is happening. And always we are faced with the discrepancy between rich and poor. But then that has been with us throughout all the ages, even in Jesus’ time. We certainly see that in the Gospel for today.

Hungry people are coming to Jesus. There are the curiosity seekers who are looking to be witnesses to a miracle. There are those who are sick hoping against hope for a cure. There are the spiritually bereft who need to experience Jesus’ care and compassion. All of them are hungry. They keep following him. The crowd swells until there are at least five thousand people gathered. People need to be looked after. How do you take care of five thousand hungry people out in the Galilean countryside?

Jesus turns to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread for them to eat?" He understands the many kinds of hunger they are experiencing. But he knows that their physical needs must first be met. He asks, not because he does not know what to do. He asks as a challenge to the disciples to respond to those who are in need. It is a test of their faith.

Philip's response is very human, totally realistic. We can all hear ourselves saying the same thing. "Six months' wages will not buy enough bread to feed all these people." Philip is right. There is not enough money in the coffers to take care of the problem of feeding five thousand people. If it depends on wealth, the situation is hopeless.

But it doesn’t. It isn't. For Jesus takes bread, simple bread, the everyday food of the poor, bread made of barley, five little loaves, provided by a little boy. His lunch! Jesus gives thanks. He gives it to the people. They eat and are satisfied. They are no longer hungry. They are full.

God’s action in history is a paradox when it comes to hunger and fulfillment. Jesus feeds five thousand people. They have their hunger sated. With a few fish, a little bread, and a word from Jesus, they eat and are filled. Many people are starving, but because Jesus has compassion on a few of those hungry people, and because a little boy has a lunch, they eat and are filled and go home. In the whole scheme of things, it was not very spectacular. It just happened and Jesus left it at that.

Many people are starving in our world. We need to ask ourselves if we are doing enough. What does the Gospel call us to do? As one of the richest nations in the world, we Canadians can find all sorts of reasons why it is not our responsibility to end world hunger. “After all,” we will say to ourselves, “not even six months wages will buy enough bread to feed all the hungry in the world.” And while I am preaching this sermon, twelve thousand children in the world will die of starvation. No matter how we look at it, it is wrong that one in five people go hungry every day. And you will tell me that they go hungry because of famine, or war, or the many natural calamities that take place on our planet. But they go hungry primarily because those of us who can choose to ignore their plight hold the wealth of the world. The situation is getting worse, not better. The number of hungry people has steadily increased since 1995. In part it is because governments and international agencies neglect agriculture relevant to the very poor in favour of wealthy nations. Consider the hype over the failure of the corn crops in the United States. Much of the problem exists, not because corn is needed to feed hungry people, or even to feed animals, but because it is being used to make ethanol in countries hungry for cheap fuel. The current worldwide economic situation is further contributing to hunger as wealthy nations consider their own needs. As well, over the past few years there have been significant increases in the cost of food production. What may be a source of grumbling for most of us is devastation to millions of people worldwide who have very little income.

The central act of the church is a common meal. Each Sunday we gather in communion with one another. Together we celebrate the Eucharist. Through that celebration we participate more fully in the life of Christ. Bread is taken. It is blessed, broken and distributed. We share bread and wine with each other as a sign that in our daily lives we strive to share our bread, our blessings, and ourselves with others.

The bridge between God’s abundant provision and the world’s desperate need is the sacrificial love offering of each of us. It is a significant act, for it demonstrates the meaning of the cross. Through the sacrificial act of Christ salvation came. Jesus gave all that he had. A child gave all that he had. We offer all that we are and all that we have. There are so many hungry people. It is not for us to question why. It is for us to use all of our gifts to provide the answer. God acts through us to bring about what is needed. We may feel as insignificant as a little boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But we are not insignificant to God. By his grace we can be channels of love to others.