I Kgs. 19:4-8 | Eph 4:30-5:2 | Jn 6:41-51

I. Are you someone who is a bit adventurous…someone who is willing to take a
risk…willing to try something new and different…or do you hang back clinging
to more sure and predictable securities?

I often see this dynamic play out when I hear people talk about the question of
whether or not they are ready to “downsize,” ready to get rid of stuff and move into a
smaller place, a place more manageable with less maintenance. Of course, there are
pros and cons to each, but I am always impressed by people who just willingly forge
ahead – be proactive and distribute their belongings and move to some place simpler.
- or we can see this dynamic play out when it comes to travel. Some of us are
willing to risk the inconvenience and discomfort of travel. Some of us are more
adventurous and want to try those new experiences while some of us are more
comfortable staying at home. Again, there are pros and cons to each.

I am not trying to make any statement either way about these dilemmas…my point
is that faith is more than simply believing: faith is an invitation to trust.

II. Picture poor Elijah. Sitting under the broom tree.

He has been phenomenally successful: in one of the most amazing stories
of scripture he pitted the God of the Israelites up against the 450 false gods of
Baal – he taunted and teased – and won! Then Queen Jezebel issued a death
threat against him and Elijah takes off across the desert to the mountain of God,
Mt. Sinai, where he would talk with God about why all this happening. Coming to
a Broom Tree, he sits in the shade all dispirited and depressed: instead of reveling
in his success, he prays for death! But his prayer is not answered.
Instead, an angel of the Lord comes to him to feed him and give him support –
not once, but twice. Elijah needs his strength restored. He is learning to trust
in the prophetic mission given to him by God.

III. Picture the people following Jesus after the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. They
come looking for something more to eat and what follows is a teaching on what this
miracle really meant.

As he is teaching, Jesus enters into a conversation with the Jews. They are
challenged in their thinking about who Jesus is. Jesus claims to be living bread come
down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. For this reason they
should believe in him. But the Jews are thinking of their ancestors being fed in the
desert with manna. In addition to feeding hungry people, the gift of manna was also
a way for God to say that he would take care of them. God wished to show that they
should trust in him. This is the essence of faith.
Jesus is speaking to people who have just been fed. His point to them is that
they should trust in him. Their faith in him will be well placed.

IV. If we go on a trip, we need a lot of trust. We trust:

• that we will travel safely
• that we will make all our connections
• that our accommodations will work out
• if it is a leisure trip, that we will have a good time and it will be an enjoyable
• that we will have new and enriching experiences
• and that we might grow as a person and come back home better

Would not the same be true of the experience of faith? Faith includes trust and
that trust should assure us:

• that everything will work out okay, that it will be a good and safe journey,
• that there will be a sense of freedom – as we break free from our securities,
• that there will be a sense of adventure
• that we will have new and enriching experiences
• and certainly that we will grow and become a better person because of our trust

V. The end of Jesus’ teaching today takes on a Eucharistic tone.

Manna is an image of the Eucharist – and in this gift, this manna, this Eucharist we
are not only nourished but we are invited to trust in God.
We can trust God, we live in faith and find God trustworthy. God has proven that
he stands by us. This happened in the desert when God provided the manna for the
wandering Hebrews. It happened when Jesus fed the 5,000.

In the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist, we encounter a God
who wants to provide for our needs but also wishes us to seek and trust him. Life
flourishes when we trust – whether it is a vacation trip or the journey of faith. We
are on the path to happiness in this life and the next.

-- Fr. Dwayne Thoman