The Abundance Around Us

The priest had laryngitis, but he showed up.

The seasonal allergies caused a bit of respiratory congestion, so for the first time since church re-opened in May I didn't attend. Fortunately, there was an alternative.

The necessities of last year had forced our little parish, like thousands around the world, to acquire both the equipment and knowledge to stream live services. About two-dozen fellow parishioners were tuned in; some posted short greetings on the YouTube message board.

The priest reflected on the readings---David and Bathsheba, Paul's description of God's love, and the feeding of the five thousand--and how the common theme was that of scarcity and abundance. The initial thought that comes to our secular minds is that of earthly riches or the lack thereof. Of course, the ancient chroniclers were really writing about attitudes toward material things and the actions we take to acquire, use, and share them.

On the last Sunday in July, 16 months after the shutdowns began, let us dwell not upon what we have lost or never had, but the abundance that exists all around us.

Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, Tintoretto (16th Century, Met)