Seeing the Bigger Picture — Your Weekly Reflection from CMMB
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Our reading today is once again from the sixth chapter of John. However, our lectionary calendar does not guide us through his Gospel continuously.
You will remember that last week’s reading concluded after Jesus had multiplied bread and fish for the crowds. After that event, and John’s report of Jesus walking on water, Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum. This is where today’s reading begins.
After arriving, they are met by the same crowds who witnessed the multiplication of the bread and fish. Here, a series of discourses take place, and Jesus encourages the crowds to look beyond the physical gifts they have received. In doing so, they will see the bigger picture. Jesus wants the people to see the other, more valuable gift he has given them—eternal life.
Jesus says, “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”
Jesus’ discourse continues, but ultimately, the crowds are unable to yet grasp the truth.
As people of faith, we are always learning. We understand Jesus in a way that the crowds in our Gospel could not—at least not at first.
There are many important lessons to take away from this section of John’s Gospel. But the one we would like to reflect on today, is the very same thing that Jesus asked the crowds to do—to look beyond what we see as truth to find the bigger picture.
Perhaps one of the strongest examples we can present to you is the far-reaching impact of COVID-19. When we hear about the devastating impact of the pandemic, we focus our attention on its direct impact. And, as important as it is that we do, we must also not forget about the bigger picture.
In under-resourced countries like Sierra Leone, the initial spread of COVID-19 was just the first threat. For the people of this country, the secondary impact that the pandemic will have on everything, from the country’s fragile healthcare system to its economy, is another threat that demands our support. Unfortunately, after experiencing the Ebola crisis, the people of Sierra Leone know this realty far too well.
Emergency response in Sierra Leone during the Ebola crisis. Photography / ©EC/ECHO/Cyprien Fabre
CMMB’s Medical Donations Program has been partnering to address the lingering impact of Ebola and now COVID-19. In a recent piece published on our blog, our team breaks down the situation in Sierra Leone, the partner organizations we work with, and the important ways our medical donations are being used to serve the bigger picture. We will conclude today’s reflection with an excerpt from our blog post. But, if you’re interested, we invite you to read the full story to learn how our donations have gone on to change lives.
As the world starts its emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to remember the far-reaching consequences of such an event. Additionally, there are still hundreds of millions around the world for whom good health or stabile income had never been a guarantee. CMMB, along with partners like the Bread and Water for Africa® and the Rural Youth Development Organization, is working to make sure that patients have access to high quality medication and a chance to flourish.
In grace and peace,
CMMB