August 2, 2026
“Mind the Gap” Photo by LKV Walsh
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In the Christian lectionary tradition today, the story in the Gospel is the feeding of the 5000(ish). It is good news at the end! What little that is available is shared in common, and everyone is fed. But the readings for today begin with the troublemaker – Jesus- hearing that his cousin and compatriot has been murdered by the state. And the news is followed by his going off to grieve alone. A crowd gathers, Jesus is moved to speak to them and care for them. And so the bread and fish are not all that get shared when there is very little to go around. The troublemaker’s limited energies are shared also. I wonder why I never noticed that before!
To be fair, the church of my childhood (Southern and Evangelical) taught us well in Sunday school that we were meant to give until it hurt, and especially us women in the church. Denying those in our families and church family and even our communities (as long as they looked like us) just because we were worn out or depleted was cast as selfish and immoral. So I’ve no desire to take my noticing of Jesus sharing himself when he was exhausted and make it a model for behavior. Instead, I want to point out that Jesus did not give of himself without demanding others do so also with him. Now that is my kind of troublemaking. Good boundaries and shared responsibility.
Imagine what the world would look like if we each gave what we had even when it was hard because others have it harder. Imagine if, at the same time, we stopped at our limits and challenged others who could do more to do so. Just think what the world would be like if we all gave as much as we could and then also admitted it when we needed help or could give no more. Less burnout! Less resentment! More equity and more love! Troublemaking indeed.
So I remind myself this week (as much as I remind anyone else) that our hearts are muscles the size of a fist. We must keep loving. We must keep fighting. And when I’m down and almost out, I’ll say to myself and to everyone else, “Hold on…one more time with feeling!” Amen.
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