Let us pray: Holy God, may the words of my mouth and meditation of all of our hearts be pleasing to You, O God. Amen.

And Philip said to Jesus: “Six months wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” This astute observation comes from the wonderful story that precedes this evening’s Gospel text. Hungry for Jesus’ teachings, a huge crowd surrounds both Jesus and His disciples. And we know that 5,000 were fed a simple meal of bread and fish … a meal that satisfied their physical hunger for the moment. However … this was also a meal that left them craving more … AND, in their frenzy to get SO MUCH MORE, many from that crowd were willing to get into boats and track down Jesus … across the sea … to the far shore.

It is entirely appropriate for us to step back a few paragraphs and consider this prelude to our Gospel reading … as we gather together on this eve of Thanksgiving Day. For all of us are in the midst of some sort of preparation for our own favorite feast for Thanksgiving Dinner. If you are the host, you most likely have been busy, cooking all of the favorite foods for your family and friends ~ as well as making sure that there is a favorite alternative for Aunt Sally, Cousin Brian, and others who just do NOT like Green Bean Casserole. From our past experiences, we have visions of gathering around a table that has been set to perfection and groans under the weight of each delectable dish. And we know that, as we gather, there will be much laughter and the sharing of stories as the food is passed around the table. And, at some point, each of us will have to loosen our belts a bit, let out a small groan, and sample yet another yummy dessert. And then, being fed, and perhaps over-fed, full to the brim … we will relax on sofas and easy chairs, a satisfied smile on our faces.

Have you ever wondered what it must have been like on that hillside … surrounded by 4,999 others … feasting on that simple meal. Like our own celebrations today, I would imagine that there was much laughter and sharing of stories. We know from the Gospel that all ate what they wanted … until they were satisfied. Which also means that there was probably much belt loosening as they lounged on the hillside!

As I said, THIS was a meal that left them hungry for MORE. Yet their eagerness is brought up short by Jesus’ gentle chide: “You don’t understand what you are asking for. By focusing on the tangible food ~ that which you can touch and taste ~ you have missed the SIGN .. the MIRACLE … that has happened in your midst.” And, slowly and clearly, Jesus spells out for them what MUST be foremost in their lives.

· Don’t work JUST for physical bread … which will nourish you for a short time, will leave you hungry for more … and, worse yet, will eventually spoil and perish.

· INSTEAD: focus on the BREAD that will endure … that will satisfy for eternal life.

IOW: Jesus tells the crowd: Set your sights AND your appetites on the TRUE BREAD FROM HEAVEN … which will sustain you for life … and which can only come from a BENEVOLENT GOD who cares deeply for ALL of creation ~ our God, who cares deeply enough to have sent Jesus into our midst to establish for us the way to eternal life.

A BENEVOLENT God … BENEVOLENT is such a wonderful word that we hear so much … especially at this time of the year. And a word that we usually associate with GIVING. True story: (Confirmation Class: JESUS IS … / Confirmand Tommy … benevolent … DEFINITION: CARING and GIVING.)

Thanksgiving is a holiday that causes us to stop for just a moment … and to consider ALL that we have to be thankful FOR. Which usually includes what we have received AND the many positive blessings that grace our lives … those blessings that forcefully remind us that God is indeed present in our lives. And this is EXACTLY what we should be doing!

But, at the same time that we are giving thanks for everything that we have in our lives, we also are afflicted with, what I call the ‘ITCHY SCRATCHYs” … that feeling that you get right between the shoulder blades when you know everything is NOT … OK! Listen to the radio or TV news broadcasts … scan the newspaper headlines … look at the faces of the people you pass on the street … and you will know that there are many who struggle to find a glimpse of a benevolent God in their lives. Having been to the depths and on rocky terms with my God, I can tell you ~ beyond a shadow of a doubt ~ that the benevolence of God falls on every one of His children … and is visible IF and WHEN we broaden our perspective and thinking. I believe that God’s gift of living bread is evident:

· In the churches and groups that serve hot holiday AND daily meals for the homeless and the lonely.

· In the shelters that yearly provide a warm place to stay on freezing cold nights.

· In community organizations, that offer food & clothing cupboards (Pennridge FISH) AND personal life skills / job counseling (Manna on Main Street) … NOT just at the holidays but year round.

· In the children who sponsor lemonade stands and 5K races in order to raise needed funds so that researchers can find a cure for life-threatening diseases.

· In a former undocumented resident who is now waiting to become a citizen AND who has joined with other agriculturists in the San Francisco area to provide small scholarships to young people who are trying to overcome the same obstacles in their life.

· In folks ~ young and old ~ who provide disaster assistance relief, who participate in mission trips, who encourage others to bring God’s harmony to the world.

And the countless other folks ~ who mostly remain nameless, faceless and undocumented ~ YET who make their lives a living prayer of gratitude … as they work to share God’s grace and love and light ~ sharing what fills their lives with others.

Tonight I would like to share a story with you that appeared in the Sunday Inquirer on Nov. 4^th, which graphically reminds me that God is ALWAYS at work in our lives.

Story of Pat … a WWII veteran and a patient of Marlton’s Samaritan Hospice.

Story of Robert … a WWII veteran and a volunteer for Samaritan Hospice through

the Veteran’s Outreach Program

In August … Pat received a package … inside:

Nazi flag Pat has hauled down after he and other American troops took over

Cologne Germany … flag signed by his buddies

Swastika armband

Letter of congratulations to his division of Timberwolves

Pat had sent these “souvenirs” to his then-fiance … her daughter recently found

them and got permission from her mother to return them to Pat

As the 2 veterans talked about their experiences ~ they discovered a wonderful

connection:

· Robert (volunteer) related having been shot and captured by German troops in Nov. 1944 in Stolberg, Germany

· Pat (patient) and other troops later liberated that town and the concentration camp where Robert was a prisoner

· Both men had been born and raised in Philadelphia

In sharing their amazing stories, these 2 veterans noted: “We bonded together in war, and we have a responsibility for each other.” Now, 63 years later, they give thanks for the opportunity to re-establish that bond and re-affirm that responsibility.

My friends, each of us have experienced moments such as this. Many would call them wonderful coincidences. But I don’t believe in coincidences. Rather, I believe:

· In the inspiration and the dance of the Holy Spirit, who moves in and among us, whose urgings open us to the potential to make every moment a moment of divine connection.

· In the persistent TUG on our lives that comes from Jesus Christ … who pushes and prods and calls us to turn our “I wonder what IF …” questions into awesome realities.

· I believe in the benevolence of a loving God who will never give up on offering us the gift of living bread that will fill us and satisfy us … in THIS life … AND THE NEXT!

For these gifts that grace our lives and are ours to share, may our daily breath prayer, that rises from the bottom of a heart filled with gratitude, be a simple yet sincere “Thank You!”

Let us join together in prayer …

Hold out RIGHT hand, cupped AND turned UP

Hold out LEFT hand, cupper AND turned down

RADICAL MOVE … if you can reach your neighbor … hold hands

IF NOT … extend your arms out to embrace your neighbor in spirit

Let us pray: Sustaining God … Tonight, we thank you for Your gift of living bread, which nourishes our lives … body and soul. We are grateful that You have graced our lives with countless blessings that flow from Your open hands and unmeasured grace. We ask for one final blessing: the ability to gift others with the same open hands and unmeasured grace. Amen.