A Climate of Tradition!

 

Today is creation Sunday …In today’s The Gospel Jesus Calls the leaders hypocrites…Bob has called our conference out as being hypocrites.  At the annual Gathering eucharist, while focusing on care for the earth we used plastic cups with juice and a wafer sealed on top.  Sometimes it is hard to do our due diligence when it comes to creation.

The season of creation used to follow a set Pattern for years it was land, ocean, forest, air and blessings of the animals.  Over the three year cycle the names of the Sundays changed but the themes were basically the same. It May have been wilderness, water, mountain you get the idea but what has any of that to do with Jesus challenging the leaders of the church?

“Jesus is challenging them as to how their traditions contribute to them fulfilling their mission. And I think this is just where this week’s sermon might bring this odd passage to bear on our shared life. I mean, maybe we don’t seem at first blush quite as fussy about tradition as Jesus’ opponents did, but what if you were to suggest tinkering with some of our own traditions? Perhaps changing worship in order to make worship more understandable and accessible to a younger generation? Or what if you were to drop the lectionary in favor of moving through the narrative of the Bible? Or what if you were to cancel all committees in favor of a more nimble way of governing the congregation? Or what if you were to suggest make the sanctuary space more flexible so you could offer it to some community groups? Or what if each fourth Sunday folks didn’t come to church at all but rather were engaged in community service throughout your county? Or what if…?

 

You  get the idea. We each have traditions that are more than traditions. They are markers of what has been accepted as right and wrong and thereby serve to lend us a sense of stability. (Never mind that our traditions do in fact change over time – what’s important is that they appear unchanging in the moment!) This passage serves both to relativize our traditions – should we really hold them sacred? – while also pushing us to the far more important concern of the law to help us care for each other. ”[i]

 

The broader context into which this interchange between Jesus and the pharisees occurs presents an interesting backdrop. On the one hand, there are two generous feeding of the hungry multitudes (6;30-44; 8:1-10), and an extravagant summary of Jesus’ healing s in and around Gennesaret (6:53-56).  They pose a sharp contrast to the restrictive issue of washing the hands before eating. On the other hand, the interchange of the Pharisees is followed by the stories of the persistent faith of the Gentile woman of Syrophoenician origin, who asks only for the crumbs  from the table and her daughter is healed. And the restoration of hearing and speech to the deaf man living in the gentile area called Decapolis (7:24-37). It is as if Jesus’ critique of Kosher laws (“thus he declared all foods clean,” 7:19) is then documented by the healings of these non-Jewish people.”[ii]

 

It is not what we put in our bodies but what comes out of our hearts and lips. Proclaiming that the kingdom of God belonged only to the Jewish people who followed only certain rules and regulation as opposed to offering peace, healing, food, welcome, to those beyond their borders was what was wrong. You can keep your traditions as long as they are not interfering with the work of Gods kindom here on earth.

 

Letting people know they are loved welcomed and cared for isn’t always easy. Sometimes it contradicts our own “traditions.” We are called as Christians to grow, study , learn…as a result we have ONA churches. “Open and Affirming (ONA) is the United Church of Christ's (UCC) designation for congregations, campus ministries, and other bodies in the UCC which make a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.”[iii]

 

We have immigrant welcoming churches. “In a world becoming increasingly globalized, more people are leaving their homelands to seek better lives and opportunities in new countries. Their reasons for leaving are diverse and complex: economic necessity, war, or persecution. The U.S. has long been a nation of immigrants, and we have consistently been conflicted about this. We gratefully welcome immigrants and their contributions, and we exclude them, discriminate against them and, at times, inflict grave harm upon them.

 

As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors. The Bible is unambiguous in calling us to welcome aliens and strangers in our land, and to love them as we love ourselves. In these times, let us listen to the voice of the still-speaking God. We will learn how to respond to these new sisters and brothers residing among us.”[iv]

 

We are an earth Justice Denomination…

 

This video I want to share maybe 6 year old but just as relevant today

 

Since we are beginning the season of the season of creation one can look up climate events happening around the world or just here in Florida. The climate instate of Florida has a list of events and actions such as Heat; the 4^th Biennial juried art exhibition in Gainesville, a symposium on flooding adaptation, or a climate leader training online.[v]

Florida right to clean water actually has a series of events occurring around the season of creation.

“Celebrate the Season of Creation (September 1st through October 4th) by learning how the FL Right to Clean Water = GOOD STEWARDSHIP!

 

September 1st - DAY OF CREATION - Click here to see a "Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation."​

 

In the St Augustine area?  September 2nd - Rosary Walk in Saint Augustine.  Information can be found here, or email Elyse at artistelyse@yahoo.com.

 

In the Fort Myers area?  Every Wednesday in September (6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th), you're welcome to join a Walking Meditation on Bunche Beach from 7:30-8:30am.  Click here for the event link on Facebook.

 

September 7th, 4pm - "Call to Prayer / Meditation," an online event open to all who wish to be (re-)inspired and (re-)connected.  Click here for the event link on Facebook.

 

In the Orlando area?  September 10th, 4pm - Season of Creation event, presenting the Right to Clean & Healthy Waters - an in-person presentation hosted by Broadway United Methodist Church, 406 E. Amelia St, Orlando.  Panelists include Jim Durocher (FL RTCW initiative), Gabbie Milch (St Johns Riverkeeper), and Dr. Jeff Greenberg (Indian River Lagoon Roundtable).  Feel free to access and share this flyer!

 

September 14th, 7pm - "Living Waters: A Call to Creation Care Stewardship," an online event featuring our guest speaker, Monsignor Haut.  Click here for the event link on Facebook.  Click here to register for the event!

 

October 2nd, 7pm - "Healing Waters, Saving Lives: The time to act is NOW!" -- an online event featuring our guest speaker, Reverend Dr. Latricia Edwards Scriven, Senior Pastor at Saint Paul's United Methodist Church.  Click here for the event link on Facebook.  Click here to register for the event!

 

October 4th - time and title TBD - We will host an event in celebration of the Feast and Birthday of St Francis of Assisi, closing out the Season of Creation, hoping that all the faith communities we were able to reach have been inspired to activate "good works" in support of this initiative for Creation Care Stewardship.”[vi]

 

According to blessed tomorrow our food and faith are connected to our climate as well.

What You Need to Know Food is an important part of how we express our faith in our daily lives, many worship services, and some religious holidays. What foods we choose to eat also impacts the climate.

·         More fruits and vegetables in our diets are better for our health and our climate. Higher proportions of plantbased foods are healthier for us. Agriculture, including meat and dairy production, is one of the top sources of harmful pollution in the US.

 

·          Local food is fresher, more nutritious, and travels shorter distances which equates to lower pollution and healthier, more prosperous communities.

 

 

·         Reducing food waste is practical, and also reduces pollution. Less waste = less wasted dollars and less food and packaging sent to landfills = less methane, among the most potent sources of climate pollution.

 

·         Avoiding prepackaged foods is safer. Plastics are made from fossil fuels and do not degrade. They can end up in our waterways and show up in our bodies as microplastics. Packaged food can also contain chemicals harmful to us.

 

·         Food grown without pesticides keeps our soil, waterways, and bodies healthy and helps our crops to maintain vital nutrients.

 

·         Climate change is increasing food prices and food insecurity. Stabilizing our climate will make food more affordable and accessible, especially for people experiencing poverty. When we lower climate pollution we restore crop yields, the ability to farm, and the nutritional value of crops.

 

·         Choosing foods thoughtfully and eating prayerfully connects us to the Divine, to each other, and to all creation. What and how we eat is an act of faith.

 

·         What You Need to Do We can all eat more thoughtfully in a way that aligns with our faith and benefits our health and creation. Focus on including more delicious and nutritious fruits and vegetables. Share your healthy habits with neighbors, congregation members, and policymakers.

 

·         Eat the rainbow — more fruits and vegetables. Fill half your plate with colorful fruits and vegetables, locally grown and organic when possible. It’s good for you and good for our climate.

 

·         Prioritize plant-based proteins. Choose beans, lentils, seeds, nuts, plant-based proteins or sustainably grown fish, chicken, eggs, and turkey when possible. These are excellent sources of nutrition with lower climate impacts.

 

·         Eliminate food waste. It saves money, diverts food from landfill, and reduces methane pollution. Eat what you buy, freeze your leftovers, and compost food scraps to improve the soil of your garden or yard.

 

·         Eat locally and seasonally whenever possible. Not only is this more delicious, but it’s often more interesting, less expensive, and reduces pollution versus food that travels farther to your plate.

 

·          Start a community garden with your congregation. Involve children, youth, and people in your neighborhood in planting, growing, and harvesting. Use the food in congregational activities, donate to congregants in need, local food pantries, and food programs.

 

·         Vote with your dollar by buying foods grown from sustainable and regenerative farming practices, like organic foods, when possible. Also, try to avoid fast food and prepackaged foods, which are not healthy for you or creation.

 

·         Vote for candidates and policies that support sustainable agriculture, food equity, and food access. Talk to your neighbors and community about these actions and opportunities.

 

And so we have a proposal to work with our preschool and create some raised beds where we can better practice what we preach and engage our kids in learning how food is grown and how fresh produce tastes much better and is much better not just for our bodies but for the earth.[vii]

[viii]

Over the next few weeks, we shall focus on how we can better care for ourselves and all of God’s creation through this season of creation.  Please feel free to engage, bring up opportunities in the community and share maybe something you’re doing to help make a better tomorrow.

Let us pray,

Triune God, Creator of all,

We praise you for your goodness, visible in all the diversity that you have

created, making us a cosmic family living in a common home. Through

the Earth you created, we experience love and nourishment, home and

protection.

We confess that we do not relate to the Earth as a Mothering gift from

you, our Creator. Our selfishness, greed, neglect, and abuse have caused

 

the climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, human suffering as well as the suf-

fering of all our fellow creatures. We confess that we have failed to listen

 

to the groans of the Earth, the groans of all creatures, and the groans of

the Spirit of hope and justice that lives within us.

May your Creator Spirit help us in our weakness, so that we may know the

redeeming power of Christ and the hope found in him. May the groans of

the Spirit birth in us a willingness to serve you faithfully, so that we may

hear and heal Creation, to hope and act together with her, so that the

firstfruits of hope may blossom.

Loving and Creator God, we pray that you will make us sensitive to these

groans and enable us to have the same compassion as that of Jesus, the

redeeming Lord. Grant us a fresh vision of our relationship with Earth, and

with one another, as creatures that are made in your image.

 

In the name of the one who came to proclaim the good news to all Crea-

tion, Jesus Christ.

 

Amen.

Amen.

 

 

---

[i]  http://www.davidlose.net/2015/08/pentecost-14-b-tradition/

[ii] Brueggemann, Walter, and Charles B. Cousar. Texts for Preaching: A Lectionary Commentary, Based on the NRSV. Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1993.,pg. 492

[iii] http://www.ucc.org/lgbt_ona

[iv] http://www.ucc.org/justice_immigration

[v] https://floridaclimateinstitute.org/events/upcoming

[vi] https://www.floridarighttocleanwater.org/events

[vii] https://www.onehomeonefuture.org/community-garden

[viii] https://blessedtomorrow.org/

Feasting upon the Word!

 

John 6:56-69 nrsv

New Revised Standard Version

56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” 59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.

 

The Words of Eternal Life

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” 61 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. 65 And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”

 

66 Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67 So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”[a]

 

John 6:56-69

The Message

53-58 But Jesus didn’t give an inch. “Only insofar as you eat and drink flesh and blood, the flesh and blood of the Son of Man, do you have life within you. The one who brings a hearty appetite to this eating and drinking has eternal life and will be fit and ready for the Final Day. My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. By eating my flesh and drinking my blood you enter into me and I into you. In the same way that the fully alive Father sent me here and I live because of him, so the one who makes a meal of me lives because of me. This is the Bread from heaven. Your ancestors ate bread and later died. Whoever eats this Bread will live always.”

 59 He said these things while teaching in the meeting place in Capernaum.

Oh Lord this reading is hard…we have been talking about this for weeks and yet Jesus goes on speaking about the bread of life, about him being the bread of life and how we must consume that bread and drink his blood.  Ugh! Does he have to be so graphic?  Why is this so hard to hear?  Why do his own followers walk away?

 

One commentator believes we need to move away from the metaphor...

“In Jewish culture, the idea of ​​eating meat with blood was taboo. In fact, it was a prohibition given to humanity in general after the flood in Genesis 9: 4. The Law repeats this prohibition to the people of Israel (Lv 17:11, 14; 19:26; Dt 12:23). In addition, blood and fat were the parts of the animal that were to be given exclusively to God in the sacrifices (Lev 3: 16-17; 4: 18-35; 9: 18-20). Thus, the reference to the flesh and blood in these words of Jesus has nothing to do with the Eucharist (although historically it has been interpreted that way and some believe that this section about flesh and blood was added to the original discourse) , but with the sacrifice of the tabernacle or the temple that restored or celebrated the communion between the believer and God. Truly, we must not concentrate on the metaphors of bread / meat / blood that Jesus uses throughout the chapter, but on what is done with those elements: eating. To eat the manna in the desert was to receive life. To eat the separated loaves for the priests of the temple was to have communion with God. Also to eat the sacrificed meat on the altar was, for the believing Jew, to have communion with the same God. Eating is synonymous with accepting, receiving, believing, trusting, welcoming, staying, etc., all words that the Gospel of John uses repeatedly to describe the challenge with which Jesus confronts us-the obligation of the true disciple or the true disciple. to remain faithful to the Lord and to remain in communion with Him. And given the context of sacrifice in the words "flesh and blood," the nuance here is that we must accept Christ, not only descended from heaven but also raised on the cross (Jn 3:14). In this approach, according to which the person and the way of Jesus are understood both through the cross and through the resurrection, all the gospels are in agreement.”[1]

I like his explanation sort of but for me it robs John’s Gospel of it’s approach though he does keep the heart of the message.

How does Johns Gospel open?

In the beginning was the Word,

And the Word was with God,

And the Word was God.

This [Word] was in the beginning with God.

Everything came to be through [the Word],

And apart from [the Word] nothing at all came to be.

What came to be in [the Word] was Life,

And the Life was the light of human beings.

And the Light shines in Darkness,

And the Darkness did not master [the Light] ….

 

The Genuine Light, which enlightens every human being, was coming into the World.

 

He was in the world,

And the world came to be through [the Light];

And the world did not know [the Light].

[The Light] came to his own,

And his own did not accept him.

But as many accepted him,

He gave them power to become children of God.

[They were the ones] who believed in his name,

Who were not born of blood,

Nor of will of flesh,

Nor the will of man,

But of God.

 

And the word became flesh…[2]

 

The commentator wants us to move away from metaphor and struggle with the literal concept of consuming that which feeds us with God at table. But I hear something different if we listen to how John opens this Gospel with Metaphor as Jesus being the Word of God with us from the beginning through which all things are made then the word became flesh and walked among us ministered to us taught us and then returned to heaven leaving us nothing but…His word, the word.  We are called to feast upon the word of Christ. We are called to feast upon the Gospel.

 “Eating is synonymous with accepting, receiving, believing, trusting, welcoming, staying, etc., all words that the Gospel of John uses repeatedly to describe the challenge with which Jesus confronts us-the obligation of the true disciple or the true disciple. to remain faithful to the Lord and to remain in communion with Him.”[3]

I suspect some people in Jesus’ crowd heard these words with this exact interpretation some did not but those who were challenged by Jesus words used the excuse that his words are too hard. Much like the young man asked how to get to heaven…he was already doing what was easy for him. Keeping the Sabbath…Tithing, feeding the hungry…So Jesus says let’s go a step further sell all you own give it away and follow me…the man went away sad because the call was too hard….

 

“Throughout this chapter's discussion about the bread which gives life, Jesus' words have been greeted with misunderstanding, confusion, and objection from the crowd, referred to either simply as "they" or "the Jews." In verse 60, we hear about the reaction from the "disciples" (in John not to be equated with "the twelve"; see verse 67). We may expect better things from them. After all, they were the ones who sat together with Jesus at the beginning of this text, who followed Jesus' instructions in gathering up the leftovers of the bread and fish, and who were rescued from the storm at sea by Jesus. Perhaps most importantly, we expect that "the disciples" belong to "us," and not to "them."

 

Thus, we may be stunned when we hear that the disciples are now the ones who are bothered by what Jesus has said. We may have been tempted to simply write off the rest of the crowd as stubborn and obtuse, but the reference to "the disciples" sounds uncomfortably close to home. In verse 61, the disciples begin to grumble (NRSV "complain"), just as "the Jews" did in verse 41. Here, the problem seems not so much that the disciples have difficulty understanding what Jesus is saying; they understand quite well but cannot believe and follow what Jesus has said. How often do we find the same to be true about ourselves?

As has been Jesus' habit throughout this conversation, he meets objections by sharpening the point of his message, raising the offense rather than softening it, and thereby bringing the conversation to a crisis. In verse 62, Jesus points to his "going up" (NRSV "ascending"). We may think first of Luke's ascension scene, but we need to remember that this is John's story, and in John's telling Jesus returns to the Father by being lifted up on the cross.”[4]

Some of the followers of Christ can already see where all this is leading there have been a few hints along the way as Jesus has upset some of the Leadership of the community. This is too hard…others just hear the literal as opposed to the metaphor and do not even try to understand and dismiss Jesus. Others are still seeking literal food not understanding that they will just be hungry again and not fulfilled.

Another commentator reflects;

“The text tells us: "Since then many of his disciples went back and no longer walked with him" (v. 66). Why did they stop following Jesus? Is it because they did not understand the way Jesus offered the eternal bread? Is it possible that some have believed that Jesus would give them a bread that literally would not end? In a society of scarcity like Jesus’, the idea of ​​endless sustenance would undoubtedly have attracted many. But we see through the scriptures that God's plan has never been to serve as a food-providing machine. The earth in its fullness has always been able to supply humanity and the creatures of the world with what is necessary. But human greed has created systems of inequality that favor a few and leave most people in a state of need.”[5]

This statement made my mind jump my train of thought, honestly my mind often jumps the track, but this time it jumped to a good track, I hope, for this led me to think about feeding the hungry and what it means especially since one of the greatest inequalities in this world remains food!

As you know by our welcome screen and the advertisement on the welcome loop we collect food for the food bank. It is not a lot when you read their wish list;

Here is a list of critically needed items:

CANNED VEGETABLES

BABY CEREAL & FORMULA

CANNED FRUITS

MAC ‘N’ CHEESE

PEANUT BUTTER

JELLY

BOXED RICE

BOXED PASTA

CANNED SOUPS

CANNED MEAT

100% FRUIT JUICES

BREAKFAST BARS

OATMEAL

POWDERED MILK

APPLESAUCE

DRIED BEANS

TRAIL MIX

HEALTHY CEREALS

They also accept pet food, baby food, diapers, and other items to distribute through our Baby Basket program as well as to other families in need.

Every little bit helps.

But what does it mean to be hungry? Bread for the world explains it this way.

 “Everyone feels hungry on a daily basis. Most people are able to satisfy this craving and need. Even if not immediately, they can count on having a meal or snack within hours. This is not the type of hunger that Bread is concerned with.

 

People who suffer chronic hunger don’t have the option of eating when they are hungry. They do not get enough calories, essential nutrients, or both. People who are hungry have an ongoing problem with getting food to eat. They have a primary need — how to feed themselves and their children today and tomorrow. They have little energy for anything else…

It is commonly known that the cause of hunger in the world is not a shortage of food but rather access to food.

Some people are hungry because food is in short supply in their area and for a specific reason. It may be because they can’t afford to buy enough food. It may be both.

Some countries have a “hunger season” every year. It's when the previous harvest is gone, and the next harvest is not yet ready. It can last as long as three or four months.

The U.S. doesn’t have that kind of a hunger season, but for many families, some weeks are hungrier than others. These usually come toward the end of the month, as families run short of food before they have money to buy more. People can’t simply decide to spend less on rent, but, if necessary, they can spend less on food.

For many low-wage workers, retirees, people with disabilities, and their families, even careful planning cannot stretch the grocery budget throughout the month. Less expensive — and less nutritious — filler foods can keep children’s stomachs from growling, but they can’t provide what children need to grow and learn. Adults who are missing meals because they can’t afford to buy food can’t concentrate as well at work…

People in certain conditions, whether they live in the developing world or the United States, are extremely vulnerable to hunger. A month of bad weather for a farmer or an illness for a worker and a loss of income can mean less food and the prospect of hunger.

Food insecurity is the more formal term for this condition. People living with food insecurity lack a stable, reliable means of getting the meals they need.”[6]

I thought I could share a few statistics with you as well. According to second harvest;

 

“On March 31, 2021, Feeding America released local-level food insecurity projections for 2021 which show that food insecurity has remained elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels for 96% of counties. In Central Florida, Feeding America projects that 13.8%, one in seven people and 20.1%, one in five children, live in households that may be food insecure in 2021.

 

The study, The Impact of the Coronavirus on Local Food Insecurity in 2020 and 2021, provides a snapshot of food insecurity at the state, congressional district and county level prior to the pandemic and presents the likely impact the ensuing economic crisis has had on food insecurity levels in the U.S. In addition, for the first time, Feeding America has produced local-level projections of very low food security, a more severe range of food insecurity that involves reduced food intake and disrupted eating patterns.”[7]

 

 

“95 million more meals a year are needed to fill the hunger gap that exists in Central Florida.

One in seven people are facing hunger in our community.

More than 500,000 people in Central Florida don’t know when or where their next meal will come.

One in five children in Central Florida face hunger.”

 

 

“What are the Effects of Food Insecurity?

 

Chronic Disease

 

Food Insecurity is associated with higher probability of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, hepatitis, stroke, cancer, asthma, diabetes, chronic pulmonary disease and kidney disease

Child Hunger

 

Hunger can harm a child’s opportunities to reach their full potential and contribute fully to their communities—which affects society.

 

Children from food-insecure homes may be more likely to:

 

Have lower math scores

Repeat a grade in elementary school

Experience developmental impairments in areas like language and motor skills

Have more social and behavioral problems

Be less prepared for the workforce as adults

Senior Hunger

 

Seniors who are food-insecure have:

 

Higher rates of chronic diseases

Poorer general health

Three times higher prevalence of depression

Diminished capacity to maintain independence while aging”[8]

.

As we feast on the word of God…and when we share in the table of remembrance called communion we also share a table with those who around us are hungry for real food.  

 You see “God's plan has always been to live in communion with his people; God is still waiting for us to create a world that reflects the image of God-in love, justice, fulfillment, mercy, equality, etc. We see it in Genesis, when God created the human being to share in the work of creation. We see it in the Law, according to which the sacrifices have in mind a companionship between God and the person and community. We see it in the Prophets, who insist on the responsibilities of the people to form a just society. And John, at last, tells us that the Word that created the world became flesh to call people to a community to opposed to the values ​​of the Roman Empire and any political or economic system that dehumanizes the being”[9] Jesus is always calling us to be an anti-Imperial, anti-hierarchical society in which its members, are empowered by the Spirit that Jesus emphasizes in the fourth gospel, live in communion with God and with one another. We are called to Feast upon the word and share in communion as one people, as one spirit, and as the one body of Christ. Amen

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[1] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3779

[2] King, Nicholas. The Bible: A Study Bible. Buxhall, Stowmarket, Suffolk: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

[3] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3779

[4] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=372

[5] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3779

[6] http://www.bread.org/what-hunger

[7] https://www.feedhopenow.org/site/SPageServer/?pagename=about_hunger

[8] Ditto

 

[9] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3779