Looking into the lectionary - Commissioners painted into a corner

July 28, 2024 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost  John 6:1-12 John’s story of feeding the 5,000 invites reflection on scarcity and abundance. In response to the crowd’s size, Jesus asks Philip: “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” John tells us that this question is a test, for Jesus “knew what he was about to do.” So what is this test about? By now, the disciples should have learned something about abundance amid scarcity. After all, the first act of Jesus’ public ministry in John took place at a wedding at Cana where he averted social disaster by providing vast quantities of choice wine (2:1-11). So now, faced with scarcity once again and a large crowd of strangers, what would his disciple suggest? Well, Philip sees only scarcity and individual deprivation, observing that “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” By contrast, Jesus sees abundance. There is a lad with five loaves and two fish, so Jesus invites the gathering to sit down, gives eucharistic thanks, and distributes the food. And when they had eaten, Jesus instructed his disciples to gather the remaining scraps: “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost” — and there were 12 baskets of leftovers! The story invites us to reflect on abundance amid scarcity and sharing with strangers who are not part of our in-group. It also invites us to consider why scarcity has such a hold on our lives and imaginations. Let’s begin with the question of scarcity. Philip’s response to Jesus’ question contends that there is “not enough.” And, in our world, this contention is on steroids, for ours is a sum-zero culture. Scarcity is a lie with deep and pervasive implications for economics, race, sexuality and ecology. It says if poor people win, privileged people lose; if people of color win, White people lose; if trans folk win, cis-gendered folk lose; and if the earth wins, the economy loses. These equations are lies not only because none of them are factually true, but also because they “other” and demonize minoritized people and the non-human world. In an amazing book entitled The Sum of Us, Heather McGhee, an expert in social and economic policy, challenges the sum-zero world. ... Read the rest of the commentary on the website. Thanks to this week's writer Roger Gench. Order of worship for July 28, 2024, by Roger Gench. PC(USA) national offices unification: What’s next? by Gregg Brekke God redeems us (July 28, 2024) by Letarshia C. Robinson #GA226 commissioners painted into a corner over fossil fuel investments by John Bolt Want the worship resources for July 21, 2024? You can find them here. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Migration, faith and community in the Mesoamerican Mission Network A new PC(USA) mission network focuses on migrants leaving Central America for the United States. Anton Ahrens writes about the network's launch. The chair of the Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment, the Rev. Kerri Allen, concludes her leadership role Allen says she has continued hope for MRTI’s role in holding companies accountable. — PNS Try to win: Dr. Cynthia Rigby’s relentless hope Rigby was awarded the Excellence in Theological Education Award during #GA226. At a luncheon honoring her career, she offered insight and theological encouragement. — Teri McDowell Ott ‘The children of this nation are tired of dying’ Stories of gun violence and heartbreak lead to unanimous vote for action at #GA226. — Greg Allen-Pickett The spirit of connection: Reflections on faith, community and stories In five or ten years, commissioner Alan Olson won't remember the business of #GA226. He will remember the people. 226th General Assembly confirms Milwaukee as next assembly location and rejects moving to all in-person format Also thwarts effort to keep moderator election at beginning of the assembly. — PNS Navigating virtual challenges in the General Assembly, a creative way forward One commissioner at the 226th General Assembly shares lessons she has learned in facilitating community online. — Greg Allen-Pickett