This week I understand that the Norwalk High School will be hosting ceremonies for the graduating class of 2020. And though the year ended different than expected, the students have accomplished a great deal this year and are on their way to their future.

 

One of my favorite graduation gifts that I purchase for my young people as they graduate is the Dr. Seuss book, “Oh, The Places You Will Go!” In classic Dr. Seuss fashion the book is written in rhyme and addresses proceeding in life. Written in the second person the narrator addresses the reader as we embark on our personal journey into the future. The main character named simply “You”, is addressed to weathering fear, loneliness and confusion, that we are sure to face as we proceed. And encourages us to be in charge of our actions. So whatever your name, you’re off to great places. Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. You are more than enough. So …

 

Let us pray.

 

God of mercy, love and faith. We thank you for this day that you have made. We are grateful for this opportunity to be together and look expectantly for you and your grace. We gather today to hear a word from you. Open our hearts, open our ears and open our minds so that we may hear what you have for us today. Let the meditations of our hearts and minds be focused on your. And may the words of my mouth be pleasing unto you, O, Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.

 

Today’s text comes from the Gospel of Matthew 14:13-21. Please listen as I read it to you again.

 

¹³ Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. ¹⁵ When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” ¹⁶ Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” ¹⁷ They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” ¹⁸ And he said, “Bring them here to me.” ¹⁹ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass.

 

Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. ²⁰ And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. ²¹ And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children

 

This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

We are continuing in the gospel of Matthew this week. Moving from parables to miracles of Jesus. The story of the 5 loaves and 2 fish is one that is familiar to most of us. We meet Jesus right after he hears that John the Baptist has been murdered. He immediately retreats to be alone. So he goes out to a place far off and gets in a boat to be alone.

 

But the people of the town heard John was beheaded too, and they went to be with Jesus, but when they discovered he was off shore they stood by and waited for him. When Jesus returns, he is filled with compassion that all these people came to be with him. And because of his love for them in return, he begins to heal them. He puts his sorrow, his grief away and begins to do this kin-dom work.

 

Over 5000 gathered in the place are being healed and cared for by Jesus. He is praying over them, healing them, filling them with hope, even at a time when he himself is hurting. He does not allow himself to be distracted by his own emotions but serves those in need, even though they came to be with him.

 

And as the evening draws near, we see the compassion of the disciples for the people. Knowing the people had been there all day and were probably hungry. So present their case to Jesus to have the people return to the villages so they may eat for the night. And Jesus directs the disciples to feed the people. Can’t you see the bewildered look on the disciples face, knowing they had not prepared for this. No dinner party was planned the table had not be set and their surly was no real head count. Besides all they had was what they could carry, for their journey. And Jesus tells them, “Bring me what you have.”

 

So the disciples come before him with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Jesus pauses in silence and looks to heaven and blesses the food. And then he hands it over to the disciples to feed the people gathered there. And they do until all have eaten and had their fill. And as the disciples are cleaning up, they collect the broken pieces and have 12 baskets full. So not only do they feed more that the 5,000 numbered, but they have more to spare, more than what they had to begin with. They had more than enough.

 

I am not sure about you, but I often feel like I am not enough for this work that I have been called to do. Whether it is being a mom, a guardian, a friend, a teacher, a preacher, I often times have doubt that I am qualified, gifted, or even that I will know what to do when asked to stand and be present. I rely strictly on God and the lessons of Jesus to push through and persevere. I rest on the Holy Spirit moving within me so that I can be ready for when I am called to task.

 

This doubt and fear is what causes me to be prayerful of everything I say. Prayerful about what I do. Prayerful and discerning when I need to push back or press froward. This text reminds me that with God all thing are possible and I am more than enough and will have more than enough to give. Even in my darkest days, I will not be alone. Even when I want to be. God is always with me.

 

Friends, today is the day, your day. You’re off to great places. Your mountain is waiting. So, do you to trust that you are enough, in fact that you are more than enough? Will you, like Jesus be able to see the crowds of people in need and then feel compelled into action to serve them? Especially when you are mourning or hurting yourself? Or will you wait when the time is right for you and when you are comfortable or when it’s convenient to act, safe to act? How long will it be before we as a community of believers can respond in action to the emotions of our heart in this work of kin-dom building.

 

Following Jesus’s example, to engage in kin-do building we are required to tend to the physical needs as well as the spiritual needs of all of God’s people. And more often times than not, we must meet the physical needs first. When people are hungry, it is hard to see God’s grace. When people are hurting from physical ailments, it is hard to preach to them the Gospel of promised eternal life. When our children are being abused it is difficult to show them the love of God. When the breath is be strangled from the body of the oppressed, it is difficult to provide comfort in times of distress.

 

The church has been called be on the front lines for the people of God in order to meet the needs of all people, so that, they might receive the good news that Jesus Christ died so they could have life. To preach this good news before meeting the basic needs of the people is almost a moot point.

 

The early church was built on the virtues of meeting people where they are and then offering them hope of a new tomorrow. Through education, feeding, career development, skills training, clothing drives, community organizing, day cares, After-school programs, and adult literacy programs. The church was the first social services for those who needed it most. Because of the work of the church we saw social reforms and new laws enacted to ensure the basic needs of the people were met.

 

The Church of Jesus Christ is not dead. We are needed more than ever to build the kingdom of God today. But in order for us to do that first, we must work to meet the most basic needs of the people of God. And Cornerstone we are on our way. Through the Community Thanksgiving Luncheon and the Blessing Boxes, we are doing it. We have opened our doors for literacy classes and citizenship classes. He have a functional and thriving pre-school, to ensure the safety and development of small children so parents can earn a living to provide for their families.

 

But there is more to be done. New programs to develop, new ministries to create, new social reforms to present in order for the most basic needs of all people are met. In this work we will be able to meet people where they are and walk alongside them on their journey through life. Oh, the place we could go. Beloved, beware that you are not benchwarmers or just standing on the sidelines watching as the church moves forward, in accordance with God’s purpose. We need you on the field in the thick of things. Ready to serve.

 

The call to action has been made. Will you respond as Christ did? Putting your comfort and conveniences on the side and allow your compassion for other to move you to action. And yes, I can just about guarantee that if you chose to move with Christ, you too will be healed along the way. Your woes, concerns, hurts, and grievances will be resolved. Trust in the Lord. For today is your day. Your mountain is waiting. Oh, the places you will go! So be on your way!

 

This is God’s word for God’s people.