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Food for Soul and Body

A pork patty sandwich with fresh corn on the cob.

 You can have all the good things in life and still be left unsatisfied. Deep within we long for love even though we may try to fill our life with stuff. Jesus offers to fill us with food for soul and body, and sends us to share our love and to help the needy.

Word
In this week’s gospel, people followed Jesus looking for spiritual satisfaction. And yet, he also recognized their need for physical nourishment.
We read in John 6: 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. (Verses 5-6)
Jesus blesses and shares the lunch of a little boy to feed thousands.

Connection
What we think we can do seems not nearly enough with all the needs in the world. But all of us together have more than enough because God provides abundantly.
After we feed our spirits with God’s Word in Christian Education learning activities , we feed people hungry for basics of life such as food, healing or justice.
Jesus tells us to do God’s work with our hands, as the motto of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America declares and encourages.

Message
The good news is: Happiness does not come from bread or material luxuries alone. It comes by also hearing and living the Word of God’s love in the Bible.
Jesus says to you: I am the Bread of life. Be nourished and sustained with encouragement from God’s Word. And share your faith, hope, and love with each other and those in need.

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