The Gospel of Abundance

Feeding each other, belly and soul

  

Fruits of the earth, abundant creation

Teaching each other; wisdom comes from faith and knowledge

Christ offers abundant Life

It is a gospel of abundance.  That is what I am struck by again and again, as I have begun my journey with you in this past month.  Do you see it too?  It’s everywhere---people whose hearts and lives are committed to a way of life grounded in generosity and service, in compassion and solidarity.  It is breathtaking.  And at the deepest of levels it is breath giving.  It is the breath and the movement of the Spirit.

It is sometimes easy to forget this abundance of the gospel, along with its truth of the multiplication of the two fishes and the five loaves, and for our spirits to get wrapped up in the tangle of what we sense to be in short supply, or to be lacking.

This morning, I was particularly struck by one of the prayers in my devotions, for it touched on this very dynamic:

I have tasted the fruit of the earth, O God.

I have seen autumn trees hang heavily with heaven’s gifts.

I have known people pregnant with your spirit of generosity.

Let these be guides to me this day.

And may Mary who knew her womb filled with your goodness

teach me the wisdom that is born amidst pain.

May I know that deeper than any fallowness in me

is the seed planted in the womb of my soul.

May I know that greater than any barrenness in the world

is the harvest to be justly shared.

                 -- J. Philip Newell, Celtic Benediction: Morning and Night Prayer

It’s a powerful prayer, transformative really, for it is the miracle of the fishes and the loaves, and the depth of the paschal mystery, all brought together.  It is the gospel of abundance.  It is the gospel of life and possibility and love.  It is the deepest truth of the presence of God with us.

With much love and many prayers.  You are in my heart.

            Mother Julia