In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

     One of the special things about my ordination, on July 19th, 1981, was the fact that our son, Christopher, was baptized on the same day. He was born in February, but we wanted to have him baptized at my home congregation, so it worked out wonderfully that Christopher could be baptized in the morning Sunday service, while I was ordained in a late afternoon service. As I was home recently, we talked about such things, as I reminded him of his birth, and his re-birth. As happens with us sentimental, thoughtful, manly men, I have continued to think about the event of Chris' birth-and his subsequent baptism. And of course, that has also brought to mind the miracle of Rebekah's birth-not that there was anything especially miraculous about Bek's birth, it's just that EVERY birth is a miracle, is it not? Just as every baptism, is a miraculous re-birth, by water and the Holy Spirit. As is true for many of us fathers these days, I was fortunate to be in the room as each of my kids were born-to experience first-hand God's exciting gift of new life-and the great responsibilities that lay on the parent's shoulders, the moment the baby "plops-out"! And for all that a new baby means- a safe infant car-seat for the drive home, a new room, a new bed, clothes, high-chair, educational goals, career aspirations-still, I remember that first, perhaps most important responsibility (after clean diapers), as being-nourishment! I don't believe I'd given it much thought, before our babies were born, but really, the first thing you have to be concerned about when it's a normal birth is-feeding the baby. While it's not the very first thing that takes place after the birth, it sure happens pretty quickly, that the mother or father takes the child, and tries to get it to nurse on breast or bottle.because now, outside the mother's safe and nurturing womb, it's all about eating! All the other things will fall into place; sooner or later the parents take the baby home, and life adjusts. But the baby has to be eating-the baby has to be fed-and from that point on, health, and growth and development, and strength and vitality, have to do with healthy eating. And parents immediately tend to this most basic human need-why? Because we love the child! Parents who do not love their child, aren't concerned about healthy eating and good nourishment. That's why parents who are turned in on themselves, as drug addicts, or alcoholics, often are neglectful of their children, and their children become malnourished. While we must be clear that food does not equal love-that overeating can not make you feel loved and accepted, still, we feed our children because we love them, and we want them to have their most basic need, fulfilled. And our love for them causes us to want to provide for them, the most nourishing, life-sustaining food possible. Which brings us to our gospel reading for today.

     Our gospel account for today is what is commonly known as the "feeding of the five thousand". Interestingly, this miracle of feeding is the only miracle recorded by all four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Which would lead us to conclude that this "feeding" was certainly seen as important by the four evangelists. And why? Why, in particular, is the feeding of the five thousand so important-and generally speaking, why is eating so prevalent in the Scriptures, and in Christianity? In our culture and society, where over-eating and eating disorders have created almost a phobia towards food-the Scriptures' talk of feeding and eating seems somewhat out-of-place, and perhaps even detrimental. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if there are folks who would like to cleanse the Bible of such eating and feeding passages, so as not to offend those who struggle with food and food disorders. But as we need to remember-food is not our enemy. Eating is not the problem. Food and eating is a gift of God-not just for enjoyment, but for good health, and strong bones, and life and vitality. A good diet is essential to a good life for us as God's created children. And our Lord reinforces that, by manifesting his concern for the health and well-being of the 5,000 who had come out to hear him teach and preach. The feeding of the 5,000 tells us, first, that he is concerned for this primary human need-that he wants his followers to eat and be nourished. And similarly, he reminds all of us disciples, that we, too, are to be concerned that all his children have food-whether we're giving food to local folks in need, from our food pantry, or sending food around the world, through our offerings to the Lutheran World Hunger Appeal-the truth is all God's children got to eat-and that is to be one of the primary tasks of the Church-the feeding of the hungry. The first thing Jesus tells us in the feeding of the 5,000, is that he has a concern for the feeding and nourishment of all people, that we have our basic physical need fulfilled. And second, Jesus tells us through this miracle, that God is also concerned for our spiritual nourishment.

     I know I've said this before, but I say it again and again, because I want you to understand and to remember. Whenever Jesus fed people, it was not just for physical nourishment-but pointed to the spiritual food that He was offering-by His Word, and eventually, through the Lord's Supper. In fact, the evangelists pointed to this, by recording things like the feeding of the 5,000 using words similar to the words of institution at the Last Supper. In our account, we read, "Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them." The actions are the same as when Jesus took and blessed the bread at the Last Supper. And not only that, but after all had eaten, how much was leftover? Twelve baskets full! And John tells us, this is a "sign". A sign in the Gospel of John is more than a miracle-it points to the inbreaking of the kingdom-it declares God's presence and power and authority in Jesus. A sign in the Gospel of John uses an earthly experience, to point to a spiritual truth. And here, the earthly experience is obvious-Jesus feeds the multitude who were hungry with five loaves and two fish. But what is the spiritual truth? Jesus feeds us with His very presence-by His teaching-His Word, and by the Lord's Supper. We see that in Jesus' actions in the feeding of the 5,000, and we Jesus points to that, by having twelve baskets full left over. For what is the meaning of twelve baskets? Twelve is the number of the apostles-and we, the church throughout the ages, are the descendents of the apostles-as we live within the teaching and tradition of the apostles. So, twelve baskets left over means Jesus will provide spiritual food for the Church throughout the ages. Obviously, we are not still eating loaves and fish-but Jesus provides spiritual food for the Church-enough for all who come to be in the Church, whether in 2006, 3006, or 4006. The message of this sign, of the feeding of the 5,000 is-just as Jesus is concerned about physical nourishment for all God's people, so is Jesus here to provide spiritual nourishment, for all who are spiritually hungry and thirsty. Which is why in the very next verses of John 6, Jesus talks about himself as the Bread of Life, which gives life to the world.that unless you eat his flesh and drink his blood, you have no true life, no real life, in you.

     But the big question is, why does Jesus feed us? Why does Jesus give his life on the cross-why did Jesus submit to crucifixion-why was Jesus willing to be the sacrificial Lamb, so that we could eat His flesh and drink His blood? Because He loves us.

     As a parent's first concern is to feed his child after they are born, God's first concern is to feed His children after they are re-born, by water and the Spirit. That's why, in the Orthodox tradition, as soon as a baby is baptized, the priest dips his finger into the cup at the sacrament, and touches the baby's tongue with the sacred element of Jesus' blood, to proclaim that every baptized person, even the newborn babe, is to be fed with Jesus-our spiritual food. We wait then to continue communing babies, until they can actually digest bread and wine, but the message remains-the Bread of Life is for all the baptized. Jesus, present in Word and Sacrament offers Himself as spiritual food, to all who are reborn by water and the Spirit. And Jesus offers Himself, Jesus provides His Body and Blood, Jesus is the Word made flesh for us, because He loves us.because He loves.us. St. Paul writes to the Ephesians in our second lesson, "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father.I pray that according to the riches of His glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in LOVE." Paul continues, "I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

     Our difficulty is, we do not comprehend, the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ, for us. We do not know, the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, and so are not filled with all the fullness of God. We feel, unlovable. We feel, unloved. Rather than being filled with all the fullness of God, we often, are running on empty. And that's why Jesus comes to us.that's why Jesus feeds us, with His love-incarnate, in the bread and wine that become His Body and Blood. That's why Jesus gives you Himself, our spiritual food, that His presence in you, may strengthen you 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. And I pray, that you may now have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love for you-so that today, you may be filled with all the fullness of God. So-come, eat-the meal is ready-come, be filled with the presence of Christ! Come, receive power for life and for living, as you receive the power of Christ's love, in the Bread of Life. Come.come! In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.