Sunday, July 28th, 2024 Proper 12
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 toward 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. When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going. John 6:1-21
We have a Sunday reading which provides two astounding miracles and tell us about the fears and anxiety of disciples. There is a hungry crowd and a very low treasury. There is a storm at night on the sea and they are afraid and exhausted. All things that many faithful leaders have encountered. And into the despair and frustration of the disciples, Jesus calms the storm and provides for the people. Too often we give up hope when our supplies or volunteers have disappeared. Jesus whispers to us today as he spoke to the disciples then "do not be afraid." Our fear makes us see what we lack, our faith reminds us that God has and will surely provide.
A Litany for Sunday, July 28th
Loving Creator, there is abundance in your world
the fruits are ripening, the flowers are in bloom
you give us all that we need for daily living
and promise to come to us in the darkest storms.
Precious Savior, help us trust in your never-failing love.
We too often worry and fuss about our limitations
afraid that we will run short of our daily needs
fearful that our strength and faith will give out
forgetting that you are the one who provides all.
Precious Savior, help us trust in your never-failing love.
You did not send the people away but fed them
you did not recoil at the storm but came anyway
you did not let the worries of the human world
destroy your understanding of divine blessings.
Precious Savior, help us trust in your never-failing love.
We struggle and labor and lose our creativity
and you come among us and get us back to shore.
Precious Savior, help us trust in your never-failing love.
The world is full of violence, neglect and fear
and you still whisper to us "be not afraid!"
Precious Savior, help us trust in your never-failing love.
For you have been since the very world began
and you will see us through all of our hunger and storms.
Precious Savior, help us trust in your never-failing love. Amen.
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