In my opinion, churches administrate the best programs and are being most faithful to their Lord when they are cautious about how much of the budget is actually being paid by the government. I am disappointed that the government can not seem to provide the types of programs that would do this as effectively as faith-based organizations appear to do. I pray and dream that our government may know this one true thing. I also pray and dream that our church of Luther Memorial may repond to that call, and like the Biblical prophets of old and Jesus, hold rulers accountable to the demands of justice so that it might sanctify us in that truth, in the One whose name is Truth. To a starving world, God had better come as food.
Bread is a powerful sign of nourishment for humankind.
Yet as people of God, we take this sign a step further. We claim that God, crucified and risen in Jesus Christ, has become bread for the world. Christ is the Bread of Life, who nourishes our bodies and souls with steadfast love. On these five Sundays, the Old Testament readings focus on narratives of God feeding the people Israel, and the Gospel lessons are pieces of the Gospel of John, chapter 6. The people who are fed then want to make Jesus king, but he departs with the disciples.