Gathered Together in Unity by Your Holy Spirit

 I want to begin with a prayer, followed by Peter’s Proclamation at the end of chapter six of John’s Gospel, and see what happens.

The Prayer: “Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit may show forth your power among all peoples.” And Simon Peter: “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

There we have it, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. A prayer for Christian Unity in the midst of our many differences, a unity which can only be achieved by the action and power of God’s Holy Spirit. Followed by an affirmation of faith by Simon Peter.  

After five weeks of scripture (John Chapter 6) and sermons on Jesus the bread of life, beginning with the feeding of the five thousand with 12 baskets of leftovers, and ending with Jesus proclaiming that he is, the bread of life and that if we “eat him,” take him into our heart and souls, that we will never be hungry or thirsty.

This feeding of the five thousand people who are physically hungry, sets up what is to follow. First feed the body, then feed the soul with Jesus, the “Bread of life come down from heaven.”

When some remind Jesus that “Moses, gave their ancestors manna in the wilderness, Jesus says to them, “it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:31-40) I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’”

Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’” (John 6:66-69)