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The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds.
Awesome works of wonder. Frightening even. Thousands fed from 5 barley loaves and a couple of fish. A mob who would make a king of him by force, but he slips away. A wild, dark sea, a boat at nature’s mercy, and him, there on the lake, walking on the water – ‘It is I; do not be afraid’’ – and then the boat is safe, already ashore – immediately all her ragged, God-student crew are safe ~ ‘It is I; do not be afraid’’.
Perhaps the Lord had some food already stashed away, ready for the big feed. Perhaps the people had enough between them and simply needed to be taught how to share. Maybe everyone was happy with a few crumbs to eat because the prophet’s teaching or the Messiah’s sheer presence was so all-enthralling. Perhaps the significance is purely sacramental, the bread, the body, the presence of God. Perhaps the Lord just broke the bread and the fish and they multiplied until all were filled and satisfied and twelve baskets were needed to gather what was left. Take your pick. It really doesn’t matter which you prefer.
What matters is this. The sun has risen this morning, with more light than you can ever notice or comprehend or need. God’s creation sings and dances more wonderfully than any song or movement you will ever hear or see. This Holy Eucharist we celebrate is more beautiful than you can ever take in, more profound than you can ever hope to understand. What we share together here and now is closer than any brotherhood or sisterhood or neighbourhood. The Holy Spirit flowing through us, surrounding us, above and below and around, inside and outside our bodies, our hearts, our minds, binding us to each other and to the Father and to the Son – it is poured out in abundance, drenching our souls, spilling into the ground and out through the walls and the roof- into the sky, into the fields and the trees and the animals and birds, into the sea, into Llanrhidian and Gower and Wales and the world, more than we could ever cope with. And God’s Love pours over us. And we are filled and there are no amount of baskets or buckets or anything at all that can contain what is left. As the psalmist sings –The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
So be afraid of nothing. Simply call on the Lord in truth and in faith. Whatever storms you find yourself in, whatever mountain on which you may contemplate what really is, The Lord Jesus is there with you, guiding you, speaking into your heart, cleansing you, calming you, holding you, breathing redemption deep into your soul – be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit…that Christ may dwell in your heart… through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love… ‘It is I (says the God of All); do not be afraid’’
Readings: 2 Kings 4. 42-44
Psalm 145. 10-18
Ephesians 3. 14 -21
John 6. 1-21
Tonnau Duw ('God's waves') Fr Tim Ardouin 