Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Readings – II Samuel 11: 26-12: 13; Psalm 51: 1-13; Ephesians 4: 1-16; John 6: 24-35

Set in 1944 in France, Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) was commanded to find Private James Francis Ryan and to send him back home. Ryan’s three brothers have already been killed, and the War Department decided that the Ryan family had already contributed enough to the war effort. A unit of 8 men set out to find Ryan, and in the course of their rescue of him, most of them lose their lives, including Captain John Miller. Years later James Francis Ryan returns with his family to Normandie and finds the cross, commemorating Captain John Miller. Standing before the cross in the cemetery, James Francis Ryan pondered if he had led a good life that merited the sacrifice of the captain.

Like James Francis Ryan, we all have our moments when we ask if we have led a good life, a meaningful life. We, like James Francis Ryan, are hungry, thirsty for a life of meaning.

This brings us to the last line of our reading from the Gospel according to St. John when Jesus declared

Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Jesus provides, in his person, “the bread of life”. Jesus provides us the purpose of life which is to live with him, to walk with him, to follow him.

Again, from the Gospel according to St. John

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life.

It is about this life-long endeavor that St. Paul wrote to the small gathering in Ephesus.

[We are to] grow up in every way into [Jesus].

This life-long endeavor begins in our youth, continues through our professional life, and on into retirement. And the gifts St. Paul wrote about are not positions in the church. Rather they are actions, behaviors, that as members of the Body of Christ we engage in through all our days, varying as our ability and circumstances ebb and flow.

St. Paul wrote that some would be apostles. Apostles are literally the “sent out ones”; they are the ones who are “out and about” in community. They sparkle wherever they find themselves, in whatever surroundings they find themselves.

St. Paul wrote that some would be prophets. They are the truthtellers. Perhaps some even speak “truth to power” like Nathan to King David about his adultery, his thievery, his murder, in II Samuel.

St. Paul wrote that some would be evangelists who would share good news and cheer and kind words in their day to day lives. For them “the glass is always half full”.

St. Paul wrote that some would be pastors. Pastors guide others. They are shepherds, like parents, godparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, coaches, mentors, like we all have known along our pathway of life.

St. Paul wrote that some would be teachers. Teachers share not only that they know but who they are.

St. Paul wrote that apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers spend themselves “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the Body of Christ” through their time, through their talent, and through their treasure. They all work alongside God as partners, and sometimes do so unknowingly. St. Paul encourages all of us to be apostolic, to be prophetic, to be evangelistic, to be pastoral, and to be encouragers of learning. He also wrote that in all these endeavors we are to be humble, gentle, patient, and always holding each other in love.

Throughout all our days, and indeed at the end of our days, it is not unusual to wonder if we have been worth the sacrifice of others have made for us, and if we have been diligent in our efforts on behalf of others, just like James Francis Ryan standing on that seaside cliff in Normandie before the cross of Captain John Miller. I am convinced that someday we will know for sure, on the other side of death. Until that end of our days on earth, may our prayer be with the psalmist, verse 13