Scripture: 1Kgs 19:4-8 Eph 4:30-5:2 Jn 6:41-51

The Story of Jessica Long – A Toyota Ad – Start your impossible

• Adopted from an orphanage in Siberia
• She has a rare disease – both her legs would need to be removed
• New mother announces – “She will not have an easy life but will have an amazing one!”
• Jessica becomes an amazing swimmer at Paralympics

It’s Easy to become discouraged and overwhelmed – Are you…

• Concerned about the Delta variant and potential for others down the road?
• Struggling with the decisions of school boards-will your children be safe?
• Concerned about the deepening division in our church and nation?
• Aching for people of different races and religions who are victims of viciousness?

Elijah Can Emphathize

• Sitting under a tree wanting to walk away from life
• Battling false prophets – survived a showdown on the mountain
• Our God showed himself as the one true God – King an d Queen unhappy
• Elijah’s being hunted down – overwhelmed with pain, depression, burnout
• Lord God provides food and drink – Encourages him to stand up and move forward
• Trust the Lord will be with him every step of the way – Start Your Impossible

Today Jesus’ Invitation the same – A Paraphrase from Matthew

• Come to me all you who are weary or worn out or burnt out – I will comfort you.
• I am gentle and humble of heart!
• Start Your Impossible! Jesus is much more than a good person, hero, healer, preacher
• Jesus is Son of God, Lord and Savior
• Gospel of John reminds us Jesus is the bread of Life, the light of the world, the way the truth and the life, the resurrection and the life, the living water, the Good Shepherd, the living vine

Jesus is the Great I am!

• Jesus says something amazing about himself to Jewish listeners
• The remember the story of Moses on his knees before the burning bush
• God responds with his name; I AM! I am the one who is always with you.
• Our Jewish brother and sisters never speak this name aloud
• Our Jesus is the great I AM!
• Never stops inviting him into our hearts
• He will never leave us alone to face our troubles

Start your impossible!

The Lord Loves Us Lavisly

• Does not measure out love with an eyedropper
• Wants only abundant joy for us
• That is the point of the story of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes
• There are lavish leftovers – not about scarcity

FR. G. SAYS, “When you have more than you need, you build a longer table rather than a higher wall.”

Just do this!

• Let us love like Jesus loved!
• Let us see Jesus in the faces of those around us- especially in the faces of those who do not feel loved but rather judged and condemned!

Questions for Reflection

• What impacted you from today’s Readings and/or homily?
• How have you felt God’s lavish love in your life? Name ways’ others have loved you lavishly?
• Consider ways you have been able to love others in a lavish way. What was that like for you? What were the fruits of that love?

Live Connected

Consider having a “Love like Jesus Day” where you are intentional about Just Doing This!