The good news of the gospel is intended to speak to everyone, every time in every and any place.

That’s quite a tall order for a bunch of words placed together to form a paragraph on a page. But what happens if those words are divinely inspired.? Can those words then live up to the high expectation of speaking to everyone, every time in every and any place?

To all those here today who have lost loved ones and feel lonely from time to time…

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist,
he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.

To all those here today who are fearful or anxious about dying and death…

his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick.

To all those here today who tend to dwell on their sin instead of God’s grace…

Jesus said to them, “There is no need for them to go away;
give them some food yourselves.”

To all those here today who feel their memories fading and their minds weakening…

They all ate and were satisfied,
and they picked up the fragments left over—
twelve wicker baskets full.

To all those here today who feel isolated, abandoned by their children or their friends…

Those who ate were about five thousand men,
not counting women and children.

To all those here today who would rather be “banished children of Eve” and “mourn and weep” every chance they can get…

They all ate and were satisfied,

To all those who feel they have nothing left in their lives…

give them some food yourselves.”
But they said to him,
“Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.”

To all of us here today who are looking for hope and joy this day and every day of our lives…

Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,
he said the blessing, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples,
who in turn gave them to the crowds.

I guess the good news of the gospel does speak to everyone, in every time and in every place.