Hey! This is your Uber Eats driver, Jesus. I’m here!
This past Sunday our lectionary, which provides our scripture readings each week, pivoted from the Gospel of Mark to the Gospel of John. This swapping can often be unnoticeable but now that I brought it up, you might be wondering why the pivot?
Our Sunday lectionary is based on a 3-year cycle where we hear primarily from one Gospel, Year A – Matthew, Year B – Mark, Year C – Luke, with John sprinkled throughout each year. While John is often considered to be the “spiritual” Gospel, it might be more helpful to understand it as a theological reflection or framework for the synoptic Gospels. So, while the miracle of the loaves and fishes is found in all of the Gospels, we pivot to John’s account to spend a few weeks in a deep theological reflection, known as the Bread of Life discourse, to help us better understand and guide our own reflection.
In sitting with our first week of John, I kept thinking about one question that I am continually asked as I settle into Toledo, “Have you tried [insert your favorite restaurant of choice] yet?!” I love this question. Not simply because I love food, all of it, and am more than happy to add more to my “eat here soon” list. But because this is not simply a question of food. What lies underneath all of the enthusiasm is a question of experience. And I think most of us can agree that when we eat good food it is truly a full-on experience.
When I reflect on the loaves and fishes, I am reminded that spiritual and literal hunger are realities of our world, neither of them to be dismissed. For those gathered with Jesus sitting on the grass this was literal hunger satisfied. And it was a spiritual experience of a God who is trustworthy to provide. I imagine those gathered dispersed, headed home to their villages asking “have you tried “loaves and fishes” yet?!” A desire to share not just food but good food – to share a full-on experience.
My “eat here soon” list is pretty long these days. And I bet it overlaps with your list of favorite Toledo spots, too. So, let’s plan to share a meal together soon! But first, what exactly are you hungry for, my friends? As we pivot into John in the coming weeks, we will have the opportunity to sit with our list of options, reflecting on what truly is share worthy good food.
Be well,
Deacon Megan