When we look at the world's needs, and how much effort is required to maintain or restore peace, peacebuilding can seem daunting. To maintain my own peace in the struggle, I try to remember that I am only required to offer that which I can. Now, that may be a lot - it might be sacrificial financial resources, a lot of time, energy, and skills - but it will be possible. To be consistent with peace, my contributions have to be offered with peace, and they will grow over time, as I learn and grow. An important realization is that peace requires a community. Working together allows us to contribute our part joyfully, with others to encourage and mentor us, and sometimes, console us about the daunting task ahead. Working in community also helps us relax, as we trust that others will come along side to contribute their own skills.
Using Jesus' miracle of feeding over 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish, let's reflect on what we can contribute - our "loaf" or our "fish" - and what weights we can remove from our shoulders. As others make their own contributions - their "loaf," or "fish," or organizational skills, or "baskets" - and God blesses our contributions, we will discover that together, we can do great things, and with God's blessing, even miracles can happen.
This sermon was shared at Runnymede Community Church in Toronto, ON, Canada, on July 14, 2024.
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