VST student and Interfaith leader, Cathy Merchant, preached the sermon for July 25, the 9th Sunday after Pentecost, based on John 6:1-21 and Psalm 14.
 
After Jesus feeds the multitude with the loaves and fishes, the crowd chases after him, trying to force him to become king. Yet he slips away into the mountains, before reappearing later out of nowhere to save his disciples from the storm.
 
Cathy believes it is a human thing to want security and the safety that could come from being able to hold onto Jesus in a tangible way. Yet Godly power does not work like earthly power. Jesus does not take control and fix all our problems for us directly here on earth. Instead, Jesus teaches us how to practice faith and generosity. Just like the Buddhist teachings on mindfulness and non-attachment, when we have the courage to remain in the present moment and offer in service what we can without clinging, we can trust that we will be taken care of. God will provide.