Eighth Sunday after Trinity

Overview

This week’s readings are both about being hungry and being fed. The prophet Elisha feeds 100 with 20 barley loaves (note Barley was the food of the poor) in 2 Kings 4:42-44. And then Jesus upstages him in John 6:1-21 by feeding 5,000 with five loaves.

In each story God provides abundance in the face of (perceived) scarcity. And in each God works through human beings who are prepared to take a risk. Of course this is not just about food! Not having enough is experienced as not being enough, of not having value and worth. This is true for the giver as well as the receiver.

Do I deserve to ask for what I need? Do I have anything of value to offer? When we are faced with need (our own and the world’s), we are so often paralysed by the fear of not having enough and also of not being enough. God’s answer is take a risk, put up your hand, open your heart. Whatever you have to offer is enough for God to use.