Jesus, God of Abundance

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on July 22, 2021

Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10). In this Sunday’s gospel (John 6:1-21), Jesus reveals Himself as the God of abundance in whom there is all fullness of life. We see this first symbolized in the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fish. There was an abundance of people, as many as five thousand, an abundance of grass, offering everyone a place to rest, a miraculous abundance of food from five barley loaves and two fish and an abundance of leftovers.  People ate until they were satisfied. With Jesus, there is abundantly more than enough food to satisfy our spiritual hunger. He even sacrificed His own self as spiritual nourishment for us!

But without faith we fail to look beyond the physical realm to fulfill our yearnings for meaning, or a deeper life.  A large crowd followed Jesus “because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick.” Yet the crowd could not release their personal agendas to recognize Jesus’ divine power in the miraculous feeding. Instead, they attempted to forcibly make Jesus an earthly king who would continuously meet their physical needs out of His abundance. Jesus rejects this earthly self-focused kingship. His higher purpose is to usher in God’s kingdom of love, peace and justice.

 In His powerful movements in the elements of nature, Jesus speaks also of His abundance. The second half of the gospel, states that the disciples went ahead of Jesus by boat. As the evening turned to night, a strong wind blew against the boat. The disciples were terrified as Jesus appeared walking on the waters of the rough sea. Jesus calmed their fears, using words that echo God’s divine name spoken to Moses at the burning bush, “It is I”. Jesus is Lord of creation and Lord of all our life situations. He is the great “I AM” who with super-abundant strength, travels with us on the dark waters of life and calms our storms. Jesus is God of abundant love who lavishes us with inner peace and joy for He is “able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine….”  To Him be glory forever and ever!

Tags: sacrifice, life, abundance, spiritual hunger

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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