Homily for St George's Day Parade (Scouting)

Preached at Solihull School Chapel, 22nd April 2007
Reading John 6:5-14 (Feeding of the five thousand)

Let’s spend a moment reflecting on the story.
As much as anything the story is about sharing.
Jesus thanks God for the bread and the fish, and he then shares them out.
It appears that there is virtually no food, but miraculously it turns out that there is plenty for everyone, and twelve baskets left over.
It is never very clear where all the extra food came from. Perhaps some people had brought food in secret, perhaps some miraculously appeared, perhaps a bit of both, but the point is that when Jesus gave thanks and shared, everyone had plenty.

Sharing things, especially food is an important part of being a family. If we share things our lives grow closer together. We start to feel that we belong to one another. If something good happens to one of us, then we all benefit, if some bad happens we are all affected.

The Scout Law affirms that a Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts. This is why the Scout law also tells us that we have to be friendly, considerate, trustworthy, loyal and respectful. These are the qualities that are needed if sharing is to occur. These are the qualities that are needed to be part of a family.

Usually the sharing in Scouting occurs at the section or group level. We spend time together, share experiences, share equipment, share buildings and leaders even. In the best sections and groups we start to feel like family. But today we are also sharing as all the Scouts in the County, and if we do that well, we will feel like family. Later this year there will be an international sharing at the World Scout Jamboree. That is when we really remember that we all belong to the worldwide family of scouting.

So lets remember to be god at sharing. Sharing turns into brothers and sisters. It makes us into family, gives us a sense of home, a sense of belonging, in which problems, like the shortage of food disappear.