Liturgy
God of heaven, you see what all of us need.
You long to gather us like chicks under your wing.
You offer comfort and protection, a place of rest.
Thank you for giving us all that we need.
God of earth, you see what the vulnerable need.
You want to feed each of your lambs.
You give sustenance to both body and spirit.
Thank you for giving us all that we need.
God of all, you see what the powerful need.
You desire to walk with the humble.
You teach us how to do justice and love kindness.
Thank you for giving us all that we need.
We gather here with awareness of so much need
in our lives and in the lives of others. Give us
ways to trust you for rest, for food, for kindness,
for ourselves and our neighbors near and far.
We give thanks to
the Creator God of heaven and earth,
the Embodiment of Love Divine,
and the Teacher of all Wisdom.
Amen.
(Vox Prayer Team, 2022)
Scripture
We invite you to hear from the Gospel according to John 6:8-15
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are
they among so many people?” 10 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. 11 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. 12 When they were satisfied, he told his
disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.”
13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley
loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14 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.”
15 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.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
The grass withers and the flower fades,
but the Word of the Lord endures forever.
Amen.
Homily & Reflection
What do I find when I engage with Jesus as presented in the Gospels?
How might our cultural and political biases be keeping us from seeing Jesus clearly?
How can we be gracious and generous even toward those who misrepresent Christ?
Benediction
Heavenly Parent, you prepare a table before us
welcoming us to sit at your table and eat in your presence.
You bring us cut fruit when we least expect it,
and help pack our bags as we prepare for long roads ahead.
May we always remember that the table is set for us in the house
of the Lord.
Though the road may be long and winding,
Let us learn to travel lightly, setting down our burdens,
trusting the Spirit to lead us to safe passage and still waters.
Though we travel in the dark, teach us not to fear.
May we always remember that we do not walk this path alone,
and that your goodness and mercy follow us everywhere we go.
May we always dwell in the presence
of God our good shepherd,
Jesus who walked the path before us,
and the Spirit, our companion.
Amen.
(Vox Prayer Team, 2023)
[Photo by Antoine Barrès]