The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me and I in them”
Last week Bishop Rios highlighted for us that bread had been a recurring item in the readings – the bread that sustains our physical body, the bread that feeds our spirits and the bread of life that is Jesus’ flesh.
In this week’s gospel we hear again about the bread – the bread that came down from heaven so that anyone who eats it would live forever. It was a challenge that Jesus was presenting to the many disciples that came to learn, many could not fathom that bread could be made with more than just grain, but that of the spirit. Yet, twelve stayed, those who could feel the spirit and believe that there was more to the bread that sustained the human flesh.
What do we do with this bread from heaven, with the nourishment of the spirit that gives life – if the current flesh we are in is fleeting, what do we do? Do we just sit and wait for our eternal life once we’ve recognized that the Lord was the Holy One of God. What do we do with our human flesh and blood when we participate in communion? What do we do with the spirit that we gain through the body and blood of Christ – for when we abide in Christ, Christ abides in us.
This phrase reminded me of a reading I did at my friend’s wedding last month. The couple was very intentional in what they wanted for their wedding day and ceremony – a day to celebrate love and the power of love. Both the bride and groom have dedicated their lives to living a life of love that is inclusive, that strives to bring equity and justice to the world, and to push others to do the same. And rather than the usual reading from Corinthians about love is patient, love is kind, they selected verses from First John Chapter Four about Love. Part of that reading included this – God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and god abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this; that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…
Fear exists, and God knows we need help and support, we need the holy spirit. Because what is it that fear can do? Fear is darkness. Darkness and evil feed on fear. Those who do evil acts cause others to fear – fear of losing possessions, fear of bodily harm, of losing loved ones. Fear exists in small and large forms, subtly and sometimes very clearly. It causes violence, manipulation, creating hate against neighbors. Fear is also a concern that someone could take our jobs, our land…Fear can cause hatred and division with those we do not know.
However, we have the nourishment of the spirit and the love to God to serve God while we are here in the flesh against the darkness and fear – to be bold. Service and faithfulness, we have chosen to live in our faith and the spirit of God, so how do we show our service and faithfulness – We take the armor of God and we live the love that the LORD taught us. To love our neighbors as ourselves, to stand up against those who would take advantage of the weak. In honoring and choosing the LORD we also constantly seek to serve the LORD.
What are we but ambassadors of the gospel and God’s love. We do these things everyday, individually and together. When the Vestry asked Bishop Rios for a bit of guidance last week on what we could do to better engage with our community he suggested we focus on doing less and concentrating on doing the things we do well. Although we are small, we are mighty in the ways that we have taken up the armor of God and face the fear and darkness around us.
Beth leads other community members in providing food and showers for the unhoused. We’ve written letters in support of Bread for the World to end hunger, as well as letters to our elected officials to find ways to end gun violence. We provide a space for those who have personal struggles to meet others and find strength in each other. We also reach out to those who may not practice the same faith, yet are hurting, and we come together to sing – to join our voices and be in community. The music that regularly flows from the Sanctuary and Parish Hall provide a space for God’s gifts to be utilized and enjoyed – to show the beauty and light in our lives.
Each day we have opportunities to gain the sustenance of the LORD, through prayer, through community, and through communion. And each day we have choices and opportunities to seek ways to take the sustenance we receive and stand against fear and the whiles of the devil. Through daily acts of kindness, reflections of our own lives, speaking out against injustice, defending the weak, being good stewards to our neighbors, setting up opportunities for others who may travel our own path or simply letting someone else use the restroom ahead of you in a restaurant line, we are able to live God’s love. For we are ambassadors of God’s love – As we abide in Christ so too does Christ abide in us. Amen.