[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 13B: “Food for the Body vs. Food for the Soul”

[Joe Parrish]

Forwarded: 



-----Original Message-----
From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Aug 4, 2018 6:49 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 13B: “Food for the Body vs. Food for the Soul”



DearFriends,
 
ThisSunday’s sermon is entitled “Food for the Body vs. Food for the Soul” and dealswith all the lessons.  Here it is:  
 
This morning in our OldTestament lesson (Exodus 16: 2-4, 5, 9-15) we heard how God provided theIsraelites with very badly needed food for their hungry bodies.  As you recall, God used Moses to work amighty miracle by leading them out of Egypt- the land of slavery.  When the Egyptian army followed them to bringthem back, remember how God parted the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds) when they weretrapped- so they could escape.  When theEgyptian army tried to follow, God allowed the Sea to close in on them, and God’speople were safe.  Next he gave them theTen Commandments and made a covenant with them. Then on they traveled walking to the Promised Land.  There was one problem, however.  It’s pretty hard to find food in the desert,and they got hungrier and hungrier.  InExodus 16:2-3 we heard the people complaining about Moses, saying they werebetter off in Egypt.  Did you hear thestory of the little boy whose mother had just come home from the hospital witha new baby sister?  That baby cried andcried- nobody in the family could get any sleep.  Finally the little boy asked where they gotthat new baby.  His mother replied, “Fromheaven.”  “Listen to her cry!”  he exclaimed. “I’ll bet even God couldn’t shut her up!”  No wonder they threw her out and she landed downhere!”  That’s how the Israelites were-loud, crying, and complaining, until God had pity on them and sent them food(manna).  Every morning when they wokeup, there was this bread-like substance on the ground- enough for one day’sfood for everyone (two days before the Sabbath so they wouldn’t break thefourth commandment).  Manna, plus theoccasional quail that foolishly landed where they could be caught, made anamazingly nutritious diet.  Mannaprovided food for the body- sustenance to keep them going mile after mile tothe Promised Land.  
 
In today’s Gospel (John6:24-35) we heard Jesus describe how God provides food for the soul.  In verse 35 we hear Jesus say about himself:“I am the Bread of Life.  No one who comesto me will ever be hungry.  No one whohas faith in me will ever be thirsty.” Now we’re talking soul food.  BillyD. Strayhorn, in Bread of Heaven, describes it this way: “Steven Morris was aspecial needs child in Mrs. Bernaducci's class. Steven was a thinAfrican-American boy who was blind. His handicap negatively impacted hisself-esteem. However, over a period of time, the teacher realized that Stevenhad exceptional hearing.  One day she putthe class mascot, a mouse, into the trash can. The scratching noise created aminor panic until Steven located the mouse. Mrs. Bernaducci exclaimed:"Steven, you are truly a wonder." The nickname caught on. The nextyear little Stevie Wonder, full of a sense of his own value, began playing thepiano. Stevie 'Wonder' would go on to influence and change American music allbecause of Mrs. Bernaducci's faith and encouragement.  We all need that kind of encouragement.Especially in times like this. Times that try our souls. Times that causestress and uncertainty. Times when we want of word of direction from God butGod seems to be silent. We need a word of encouragement. And that's what we getwhen we come to this table. A little bit of bread and a little bit of wineremind us that Christ died for us to prove God's love for us.”  
 
Our problem comes whenwe know we’re hungry, but we think we need strength for our body, but we reallyneed strength for our souls.  Do youremember the story of the pastor who wanted to convince his children not tosmoke, drink, or eat too many sweets?  Hegot four jars and four worms.  Next hefilled one jar with cigarette smoke, one jar with cheap whisky, one jar with ahot fudge sundae, and one jar with good moist soil.  Finally he placed a worm in each jar.  Of course, you know what happened.  All the worms died except the one in the jarwith soil.  “There,” he said to thechildren.  “Look at all these dead worms-only one lived.  What can you learn aboutlife from these worms?”  “That’s easy!”said Sally.  “If you smoke, drink whisky,and eat hot fudge sundaes- you won’t get worms!”  She surely missed the point!  The trouble is- we miss the point too.  We misdiagnose our hunger- just like thechild misdiagnosed the purpose of the pastor’s experiment.
 
Ø So- when you have a hunger that you think youmust fill, but you know it’s not good for you- try Jesus!
Ø When that cigarette cough is making you begin toworry- try Jesus!
Ø When you need that drink to get you started inthe morning- try Jesus!
Ø When you need the TV on to be able to fallasleep- try Jesus!
Ø When that sexual partner who’s not good for youcomes knocking- try Jesus!
Ø When you can’t shut the worries off in yourbrain- try Jesus!
 
The Holy Bread Heoffers you today at our altar will be in every cell in your body claiming lifeand health and joy for you.
 
For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updatedAfrican-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish’s web site under“Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org.
 
Blessedpreaching,
JudyBoli
St.Paul's Episcopal Church
Saginaw,Michigan

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