Thanksgiving - Give and take - Share what we received

Manna and Mercy

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all.

Dear congregation, 

"Give us our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses". These two petitions are at the center of the prayer that is prayed millions of times a day throughout the world.

God's answer to this request is manna and mercy: bread and grace.

Both gifts come from God – and both are gifts that we need every day. It's something we can't save for the future.

For the first time, bread and grace appear in the Old Testament. We heard the corresponding passage in the reading. 

It's easy to tell: when people are hungry and don't know where to get something to eat, fear grows. Where there is fear, there is grumbling and complaining. People become aggressive and the willingness to use violence grows. 

They become guilty of each other.

This small scene is part of a long story of liberation. Liberation is not done in a moment. Mandela got out of prison at a certain moment. There is a date for the first elections. Just as there is a date for the fall of the Berlin Wall in Germany. But that's not all: the road is long and difficult. 

40 years through the desert.

And again and again the danger that the people will lose their way.

This can happen any day. Even in our lives.There is no guarantee.

As full as we feel today, we are satisfied and comfortable. As much as we think we have everything and have also made good provisions. It can turn out differently ,very quickly. The fact that we are sitting at a set table is by no means a matter of course. Our trust, our hope, our love. none of these are a given.es are gifts that we receive again and again.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to realize that we often end up with open and empty hands.

We receive much more than we sometimes admit to ourselves. What great gifts are these: parents who care for their children. Economic prosperity. The opportunity to go to school and study. The happiness of having a profession and being able to practice it. In addition, a congregation in which we feel safe and supported.

All of these are great gifts. Yes, we are involved in this. Our life is a taking and a giving. But in the beginning there is receiving.

Manna: every day.

Every day God's goodness is new. It has no end. It rises over us like the sun in the morning and watches over us like the moon in the night.

God gives bread and grace: every day. This runs through the Bible like a red thread. God's promise is so clear.

But unfortunately, people doubt it. Can it be true that God provides for us every day? Do we trust God's grace to be an answer to our guilt?

We humans often have a hard time with it: We judge and judge – we are often more merciless than God and our fear often has us better under control than love and trust.

How does trust grow: by starting to give thanks. By being aware of what we receive every day: the air we breathe, the day full of life, the connection with other people.

Every day: say thank you! This is one of the most important spiritual exercises. Every day the guilt, the imperfection, the fear can be forgiven.

Ask every day: Give us our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses.

Where this is practiced – there is enough bread – there is enough for everyone. May this hope grow – from a small grain to a large tree.

May we process and share what we receive, harvest and receive in such a way that people receive through us.

"Father, I thank you, we live from your gifts and what we have comes from you. Lord, your grace falls on my life – like rain in spring. I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart. Amen"