Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs

 From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden.  For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet.  The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.  But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs."  And she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs."  Then He said to her, "For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter."  And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.

Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee.  Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him.  And He took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue.  Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."  Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.  Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.  And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well.  He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

- Mark 7:24-37

Yesterday, we read that the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.  Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.   For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.  When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.  Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?"    He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:  'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."   He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" --' (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.  And many such things you do."    When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"  When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also?  Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"  And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

  From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden.  For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet.  The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.  But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs."  And she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs."  Then He said to her, "For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter."  And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.  My study bible tells us that Jesus goes to the Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon in order to withdraw from the Pharisees, and not to preach.  Hence, "He entered a house and wanted no one to know it."  But the power of this ministry, even among the Gentiles, is clear -- that's illustrated by the text.   The children (as we can read more explicitly in Matthew's account, Matthew 15:21-28)  are the Jews;  the "little dogs," meaning a puppy or a house dog, and therefore under the table, are Gentiles like this woman.  We can imagine a little dog under the table begging, like this woman is so insistent!  Her faith, as expressed by her tenacity and her engagement with Him, makes the difference.

Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee.  Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him.  And He took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue.  Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."   My study bible reports this sigh from Jesus as a sign of divine compassion for "the sufferings of our fallen human nature."  In yesterday's reading and commentary, we discussed the perspective of the Gospels in which such sufferings aren't really natural, rather our true nature of health (and here, expression and communication) is what Jesus restores to us.

Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.  Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.  And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well.  He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."   My study bible comments that it's good that we not seek acclaim or praise when we do good for others.  But it cites the commentator Theophylact as praising the actions of those who disobey Jesus in this story:  we should proclaim those who've done good to us even if they do not want us to.

Here's a tie to today's stories that doesn't often seem noticed:  that is Jesus' upholding of the virtue of communication and expression.  The Syro-Phoenician woman "wins the day" with her wit and engagement of Christ, responding clearly to His comment that even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs.  This is real engagement:  she's got to be paying attention to His every word to respond in this way.  It gives us a taste of the persona of Jesus, and what it is that He responds to and praises in human beings.  She's smart and using her intelligence in order to communicate with and to the Lord.  I don't really think there are coincidences in the Gospel, and in that sense, it's no accident that the next healing He does is to heal a man from deafness and the inability to speak.  These are two essential facets of communication:   hearing spoken word and expressing spoken word.  Where the Syro-Phoenician woman is expert, this man is deficient.  The qualities in her that enable her to convince Christ to help her are completely lacking in this man with such a serious impediment.  In this context, Jesus' sigh of compassion to heaven becomes even more eloquent, telling us how deeply He feels this impediment or handicap.  Communication is essential to right-relatedness, and above all else, it is relatedness that is important, how we engage with God and with one another.  It puts us in mind of the positive view of Jacob who wrestled with God for his blessing.  The final note here is the praise that can't be stopped, even if Jesus wants it stopped -- and Theophylact's upholding of those who praise.  That's also a positive notation for communication and expression.  We come to see how central it is.  The whole of the Gospel is all about expression:  the "good message" is the essence of the Book we're reading.  It's the "breath of God," the communication to us that is essential to our salvation.  The word angel comes directly from the Greek for "messenger."  How often does Jesus cry, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"?  None of this is accidental or coincidental.  We have to take very seriously the importance of communication and dialogue, and know what a gift this is to human beings.  We have to understand what it is for and how essential it is to salvation, the nature of what it is to be saved and to be a part of this Kingdom.  Communication is the act of interaction with others, dialogue is a give-and-take.  This is not about isolation, but about being drawn into a Kingdom, being part of a great communion, being in relationship to God and thereby to neighbor.  It's about the use of the intelligence with which we're created, the capabilities with which we're endowed.  What is a truly healed state of such capacity like?  How healthy is our praise?  How monumental is it that Jesus heals this Gentile woman's daughter because He commends her mother's wit, tenacity, and response to His words?  Let's remember what health looks like in this picture, and what it is Jesus praises, what impresses Him.  Let's remember what He sighs over, and think about our own use of our ability to express, to use language, to interact -- and why it's important to our true nature as human beings.  What do you communicate today?  How do you interact with God, and with God's creation?  How do you use the gift of language, with which human beings are so graciously endowed?  Let us note His praise of a foreign woman, who -- in the custom of the time -- shouldn't even be speaking with Him!  How far away is His response from what we might expect from another in a position of authority?

What comes out of a man, that defiles a man

 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.  Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.   For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.  When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.  Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?"    He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

'This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'

For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."

He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" --' (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.  And many such things you do."

When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"  When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also?  Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"  And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

- Mark 7:1-23

Yesterday, we read that when evening came, the disciples' boat was in the middle of the sea; and Jesus was alone on the land, where He had stayed to pray on the mountain.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.  When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.

 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.  Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.   For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.  When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.  Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?"    He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:  'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."   He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" --' (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.  And many such things you do."   My study bible carefully tells us that the real issue here isn't at all the observation of Jewish customs or traditions -- which Jesus does not prohibit (see Matthew 5:17-19; 23:23).  At issue, rather, is putting human tradition contrary to the tradition of God.  My study bible says that the tradition of the elders is a body of interpretations of the Law, "which for the Pharisees and scribes was as authoritative as the Law and often superseded it."  Corban were a type of offering that could be promised to God in a way that property or earnings could still be used by oneself, but not for anybody else, including parents.  That would be, thereby, a secondary tradition which, in effect, obscures the primary aim of the Law, contained in God's commandments.  Jesus quotes from Isaiah 29:13.

When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"  When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also?  Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"  And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man."  My study bible simply puts it:  "Food cannot defile a person because it is created by God and is therefore pure.  Evil things are not from God, and these are what defile a person."

There's a kind of thread here going through the gospel that we have to take notice of.  It's related to the last note quoted from my study bible:  that what is created by God is pure, and what's evil isn't from God and so is impure, defiling a person.  It's tied to the notion that the things created by God are meant to contain God's glory, reflect God's truth and beauty and power.  It's related to the concept that people simply wanted to touch Jesus and were healed by His power, even from touching the hem of His clothing.  It's linked to the idea of anointing with oil in order to heal, as natural things can be imbued with the grace of God, just as human beings can.  In that context, what we have to see is that the point of view of the gospel is that what is evil is not natural.  We may think of all kinds of petty, selfish, "evil" behavior as natural to human beings, but that's not the point of view of Scripture.  In Scripture, this "unnatural" evil is our fallen state, not our true "natural" state.  Our true natural state is that which Jesus comes to give us, to heal us toward, to restore us to.  Our natural state is in communion with God, just as it is natural that all the things created by God should be endowed with God's glory, meant for grace.  When we seek to do things that block the action of grace in ourselves, it's not really something natural, but unnatural.  I wonder how we can get further into this way of thinking.  Perhaps we can take a look at the trouble stirred up by things we know are evil:  lying, malice, manipulation, slander, scapegoating.  We could use Jesus' examples of the things that come out of the heart that really defile a person:  evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.   All of this is to point out that what's "unnatural" in this sense is a lot of trouble, causes so much difficulty and pain, isn't really natural to us at all.  These things are in some way learned and used by those who feel they get something by cheating at life, one way and another, and cheating others.  We need God's help for working through such problems, for being really and truly healed.  But let's take a careful look at who we are and what we're made for, and what healing really and truly looks like, at least in the perspective of Christ.

Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid

 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.

- Mark 6:47-56

In yesterday's reading, we were told that the twelve disciples, having returned from their first apostolic mission, gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.  And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."  For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.  So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities.  They arrived before them and came together to Him.  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  So He began to teach them many things.  When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late.  Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat."  But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?"  But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have?  Go and see."  And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish."  Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.  So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties.  And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.  So they all ate and were filled.  And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish.  Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.  Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.  And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.

  Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.  My study bible points out here that this is not the first, but the second time that Jesus has let the apostles cross the sea in the middle of a fearsome storm.  The first time, He was with them (asleep in the stern of the boat).  But this time, He sends them off on their own.  It's a way to strengthen their faith, so that even in the direst of circumstances they depend on Him.  His statement, "It is I," is literally "I Am" -- the same statement of divinity that we find in John 8:58 ("Before Abraham was, I AM"), echoing the name of God given to Moses at the burning bush.  Only God would have power over forces of nature in order to walk on water; He reminds the fearful disciples, says my study bible, "of His absolute and divine authority over their lives."   Regarding their lack of understanding about the loaves, and their "hardened" hearts, my study bible tells us that knowing Christ is a matter of the heart and not the intellect alone:  "When our hearts are illumined by faith in God, they are open to receive His presence and grace.  In the ascetic writings of the Church, the heart is known as 'the seat of knowledge.'" 

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.  My study bible notes here that Christ permits miracles through touch to show that His very body is life-giving. 

It's interesting to note how Christ and especially the disciples seem to go from feast to famine -- or rather, from famine to feast (and quite literally so in yesterday's reading of feeding the five thousand).  One evening Jesus stays alone on the mountain to pray and sends them off across the Sea of Galilee, and they are caught fiercely trying to row against a terrible storm, alone in the middle of the sea.  It's a great test of the faith even of these experienced fishermen.  But the next day, saved by Jesus who walks on the water to them, they are in a place where they are surrounded by people who demand what they have to offer, and Jesus is immediately recognized by all the people who run through "that whole surrounding region."  He is inundated with the sick who are brought to Him.  Life can be like this experience, where one minute we seem to be totally alone and isolated and fearful, and the next surrounded by people who seem to clamour for whatever it is we have to give, so that we don't seem to have time to rest.  It's interesting to look at the name of Gennesaret, which comes from a word that means "Garden of Riches."  It was a very fertile place, with both an abundance of fishing resources and an abundant agricultural plane next to it.  The plain is called "Paradise of Galilee" for its beauty and fertility.  But rather than being feted with riches in a traditional sense of abundance, what we have here is an abundance of faith in Christ, those who so want what He has that they bring the sick to Him from all over, even to touch the hem of His garment.  How we know there was active faith is simply that so many were made well through the power of Christ that links with our faith.  We know that in Jesus' hometown of Nazareth, He couldn't do many works, because of the lack of faith in that place.  In this sense, the Gospel teaches us about real abundance -- it contrasts fear with faith.  And the importance of faith is the great emphasis that we take, that even in times of our greatest fears, our deepest sense of abandonment and loneliness, faith has an essential role to play.  If we look at our darkest times as those which are testing and stretching us, we may have the right idea, the right way to carry on through it.  I have often had this experience where there seems to be a kind of conspiracy of abandonment, things that must be left behind, a frightening future prospect not envisioned -- and a kind of test of faith so that I am strengthened that comes through it.  We remember the experience of Jesus and the disciples:  a kind of famine one day, and feast the next, and we can see this experience also reflected in our own lives.  Whatever we are experiencing right at this moment, let us recall the abundance of faith, the great and deep need expressed for Christ, in this paradise of Galilee, the garden of riches.  This is the meaning we take in reliance upon God, the great gift of our faith, and all that it can bring us beyond our immediate experience.

Five loaves, and two fish

 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.  And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."  For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.  So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities.  They arrived before them and came together to Him.  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  So He began to teach them many things.  When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late.  Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat."  But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?"  But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have?  Go and see."  And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish."  Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.  So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties.  And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.  So they all ate and were filled.  And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish.  Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.

Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.  And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.

- Mark 6:30-46

Yesterday, we read that at this point in Jesus' ministry, King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."   But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod Himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.  Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.   In Saturday's reading, we learned that Jesus sent out the Twelve, two by two, into their first apostolic mission, preaching the Kingdom and with the power to heal and cast out unclean spirits.  Yesterday's reading was a kind of parenthetical explanation given by Mark of the death of John the Baptist.  Today's reading picks up where Saturday's ended, with the disciples returning to Christ and telling Him about their mission.

And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."  For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.  So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.   My study bible makes note of the fact that Christ gives rest to His disciples.  This shows those engaged in preaching and teaching that they mustn't labor continuously, but also take rest.   We note also their withdrawal to a private, "deserted" place.  There are times for outward work, and there are times for withdrawal and seclusion.

But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities.  They arrived before them and came together to Him.  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  So He began to teach them many things.  Jesus' popularity is so great now that many follow Him wherever He goes.  His compassion allows Him to teach to those who so desire His word.  Let's note that Jesus has withdrawn here with the disciples, but has been "interrupted" by the crowds, despite His intention.  To my mind, it teaches that Christ had to balance His own preferences with the demands of the crowds, using His discernment in response.  We note that His first act of mercy or compassion is to teach.  They are like sheep without a shepherd, they need His guidance.

When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late.  Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat."  But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat."   This seems to be a kind of "test" or stretching of the disciples.  They've just returned from their first mission, and now He's giving them more responsibility by saying, "You give them something to eat."  What will follow will be a teaching experience for them.

And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?"  But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have?  Go and see."  And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish."  Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.  So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties.   We remember that on their apostolic mission, the disciples were taught to take practically nothing with them, basically the clothing on their backs, and to develop a kind of reliance on God throughout the mission.  Here, it's a similar teaching:  Jesus throws them back on whatever resources they can come up with -- five loaves, two fish.  From what is on hand, we give to the Lord and rely on God's word for the rest.

And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.  So they all ate and were filled.  And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish.  Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.  Tradition has it that this is a mirror of the Eucharist, a kind of preview.  And this "scene" is central to all of the Gospels.  Jesus blesses the loaves, and gives to His disciples to distribute, an image of the Eucharist which will be done in His name.   The twelve baskets reinforce this understanding:  they are symbolic of the twelve apostles through whom the gospel will be spread to the world, the Eucharist will be given to all, as long as the Church exists.

Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.  And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.  It's interesting to observe the use of time in Mark's Gospel.  There are parts of the Gospel in which events happen at a very quick pace, but today we're given a "full day."  Now it is evening; the disciples are sent away to Bethsaida, a busy commerce and fishing area.  Jesus departs to the mountain to pray, again enforcing our periodic need for withdrawal.  He will be alone with the Father in prayer.

This piece is the central story of the Gospels, the feeding of the five thousand men (with more women and children present).  Of course, as noted above, it prefigures the Eucharist.  But when something is so central we have to ask ourselves questions about it.  What else is there in this picture we're given in today's reading that is of such essence to all the gospel message?  We can suggest the obvious, that Christ feeds all of us.  If you think about it, everything He does is a type of food for our health -- whether we are talking about physical or spiritual health, it's all one.   The first thing He does with these crowds, whom He likens to sheep not having a shepherd, is to teach them many things.  This is what they need, as sheep without a shepherd.  They need someone to teach them, to guide them, to give them wisdom and instruction on how to live their lives.  When the day is spent, this crowd is hungry and has been with Him all day.  They have nothing to eat.  Jesus instructs His disciples that they will provide.  But this is food beyond bread and fish.  It's a story about the "daily bread" we ask for in the prayer He has taught us, the Our Father (see Matthew 6:5-13).   As we've commented before on this blog during the readings in Matthew, the word translated as "daily" really has a meaning that implies it's for the new day of Christ, the eternal day, the day of the Kingdom.  As such, Christ feeds us with a bread that isn't only for our common understanding of daily nurturing, but a daily nurturing of the things that the sheep need, the bread that is more than just bread, a "super-substantial" bread (as the word literally implies).  These are ordinary loaves of bread, and common fish, but blessed and multiplied by Christ they give us the meaning of this ministry in our world, the human Jesus who is also the divine Christ.   They add everything to our lives that we need on so many levels of where we truly live.  We're not just body, not just what's visible to the eye:  we think, we feel, we have souls, we make choices, and we can live in communion with God.  We as human being can share and develop attributes of God.  We are capable of so much more, and of the fruits of the spirit:  joy, love, peace, forbearance, and so much more that makes life full and blessed.  These are the things we're given in this feeding by Christ.  And let's not forget the example of rest when we need it, and especially one-on-one private time in prayer with Him.  All of it is essential to our well being.  All of it is necessary for the sheep who need a Shepherd, who are not just those who live by instinct, but those with rational minds, with self-consciousness, capable of pondering meanings and values, and understanding the values that are added to their lives through all that Christ gives.  Those are the kind of sheep that we are, and He's the kind of Shepherd we all need.  Let us remember this story of feeding, and consider the so-much-more with which we're fed than the images of loaves and fish.  Christ's blessing and interaction in our lives is an eternal blessing, an abundance that is inexhaustible:   "all the fish in the sea" makes a good symbol for the bread that keeps on giving, the supersubstantial food we're given, not only for a life perceived of flesh alone, but for a life in which flesh and blood host an infinite variety of human capacities, love for the good, manifestation of what is good and true and beautiful.  In Christ, the image of what makes a human being contains all these things, not separate from one another, except by our choices and our neglect.  That's what this food feeds and sustains, and why we need it and are dependent upon it.  Let us never forget, even in our "daily" lives devoted and compounded through the great day of eternal and abundant life in Him.

John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him

 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."   But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod Himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

- Mark 6:14-29

On Saturday, we read that Jesus went out from Capernaum and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."  Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.  And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  My study bible tells us here that this King Herod is the son of Herod the Great, the one who had slain the infants of Bethlehem in an attempt to kill the infant Christ, whom he had heard about from the Three Wise Men, or Magi (see Matthew chapter 2).  He is known also as Herod Antipas.  He's technically a governor working with the Romans, but he's popularly called king.  He knows that John the Baptist worked no miracles while he was alive, but Herod now believes John was raised from the dead, thinking that powers are at work in him.  Thus, my study bible says, he fears John more dead than alive.

Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  Here we're given evidence of the times; people live in expectation of the Messiah.  Elijah was expected to return and work signs before the second coming of the Lord (Malachi 4:5), and Jesus will say Himself that John the Baptist is Elijah returned in spirit.  The Prophet is interpreted by some to be a reference to the Messiah, my study bible tells us; he is the one foretold by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15).  Others simply interpret it as meaning that a new prophet had arisen.

But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod Himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.  Here begins a sort of "flashback" in the story.  Jesus puts Herod in fear that John has returned, and the text begins to explain to us why, and to give us the story of John's beheading.  My study bible notes that Herod, with all his wealth and soldiers, feared John -- a man who lived in poverty and was clothed in camel's hair (Mark 1:6).  This is a testament, a note tells us, "both to the power of personal holiness and integrity, and also to the people's perception of John, for they held him in the highest esteem (Mark 11:32)."

Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.  We get the whole story as a reason why Herod fears John -- a graphic, gruesome tale of corruption and blood.   The Church views this story in a very distinctive way, however, and that is about John's mission.  He is the Forerunner, the one who heralded the coming of the Messiah or Christ.  But this holds true even for John after death, when the Church traditionally considers him herald also to the souls in Hades -- John's martyrdom becomes a vehicle whereby the coming of the Christ may also be made known to those who have come before.    Salvation is for all.

We can make a lot out of this horribly gruesome tale.  Even Herod fears the holy power of John the Baptist, although the Baptist did not do the signs and wonders that Christ Himself has produced.  Herod's fear is that John has returned from the dead.  We look at the awful story:  a king's birthday party, a lavish promise to the daughter of his wife, made in front of all the nobles and the "great people" of his kingdom.   All the important and influential people are there.  Think about it, this girl could have asked for anything.  But she goes to her mother, and the mother's one desire is for a whole kingdom and the marriage it depends on.  All she thinks about is the death of John the Baptist, and demands a horrible "proof" to that effect.  So we get the drastic picture of imprisonment and beheading, but we also get the understanding of the gospel:  what really matters is John the Baptist's role in the plan of salvation.  He will go first to the souls of the dead, who await Resurrection also, and they then are able to receive the "good news" of the coming of the Christ.  God's salvation plan isn't just about us -- we who live in this world.  It's a salvation plan for an entire cosmos, without end or limits.  It's also for those who've come before, or all those who never had an opportunity otherwise to hear about the Christ.  Our faith isn't just about those whom we know, but also about so many multiple possibilities of those whom we know nothing about.  Christ is for everyone -- truly, everyone.  This is the way the Church sees this story, it is the way the Church has always viewed any martyrdom:  what is better for salvation, for the plan of the Kingdom?  In this, we are given an important understanding of the power of the gospel, the good news.  Its healing impact isn't only for those we know about, but for those of all times and places, living and dead.  In the communion of saints, we consider the Church -- the Body of Christ -- to be truly universal.  There is no one left out of the good news, and every single thing -- no matter how gruesome or horrific -- may in some way serve that salvation plan.  We see and know one thing:  the evil we can witness in the world.  But we shouldn't lose sight of the work of the Kingdom which is deterred by nothing, and the work of the Kingdom that can come about even through the darkest of circumstances.  This is an important reality to grasp; it is right at the heart of the Cross, the power of real holiness, the saving power of God.  Let us consider, in our own darkest times, the story of John the Baptist, the perspective of the Gospel, the present help for salvation in all ways, at all times, for all human beings.   In a very real sense, Herod may be quite right:  John the Baptist is "risen from the dead" and the power of the holy is at work in him, to bring news of the light to those in the tombs as they await the Christ and His power of life and resurrection as well.  How ironic that the death of John the Baptist takes place on Herod's birthday; the Gospels give us accounts of what people do, what their lives mean, what their works and fruits are.  John works for salvation even by his death; Herod's celebration of his life is an occasion for death of the holy.  Let us consider the ways of God and the truths the Gospels teach us.

He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two

 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."  Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

- Mark 6:1-13

Yesterday, we read that when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee after being in the country of the Gadarenes, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea.  And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name.  And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death.  Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live."  So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.  Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians.  She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.  When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.  For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."  Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.  And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"  But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"  And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.  But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.  And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."  While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead.  Why trouble the Teacher any further?"  As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe."  And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.  Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.  When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep?  The child is not dead, but sleeping."  And they ridiculed Him.  But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the hand, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.  Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."  Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age.  And they were overcome with great amazement.  But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."    My study bible says that the double of being both astonished and offended occurs frequently with those who encounter Christ (see Luke 11:14-16; John 9:16).  His rejection in His own country foreshadows the rejection of the whole Jewish nation at His trial before Pilate (John 19:14-15).   His "brothers" are likely extended family; throughout the Near and Middle East, cousins are commonly referred to as "brothers."

Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.  Yesterday's reading was set in Capernaum, and we witnessed the power of the faith of the woman with the blood flow, and Jesus' teaching to Jairus so that his daughter could be healed, "Do not be afraid; only believe."   But here in Jesus' hometown of Nazareth, He finds no belief, no faith.  My study bible says that He could do no mighty work there, not because He lacked power, but because of the unbelief of all but a few in Nazareth.   A note says, "While grace is always offered to all, only those who receive it in faith obtain its benefits."

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.   The disciples ("learners") are also now apostles (those who are "sent out" on a  mission).   We note how they go out; my study bible bible emphasizes that this is so that they could not be accused of greed but also so that they learn dependence upon God.   He has shared His power with them, as a King would His weapons of war to deal with the enemy:  power over unclean spirits.

Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"    Humility is all-important; the disciples are to stay wherever they are first welcomed, and not to change lodgings -- presumably not to "change up" for better accommodations.  What's important is wherever the Kingdom is welcomed, with the gospel message they bring.  And here's also an effect of the power of the holy:   where the Kingdom is rejected, there is judgment.  Or rather, it will be accounted in the Judgment. (Of course, we know that repentance can also happen at any time later as well.)   These apostles are also witnesses for the Kingdom; where the gospel is rejected, they "give testimony" by shaking the dust off their feet.  My study bible says that persecution must not cause the disciple to quit, but simply to move forward in his mission.

So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.    To "repent" in Greek is to have a "change of mind."  They are to turn to the Kingdom and the gospel message.   To heal is also an essential character of the power of this Kingdom, it permeates all of Mark's Gospel.  My study bible says that anointing the sick with oil has not only medicinal but also sacramental value.  God's healing power is bestowed through creation (see Mark 5:27; Numbers 29:8, 2 Kings 13:21; John 9:6-7; Acts 5:15; Acts 19:11-12).   Thereby oil becomes a vehicle of God's mercy and healing in the Church (James 5:14).

We see Christ's power on display through the Gospel so far, and mostly it's a power of healing.  Casting out of unclean spirits and healing infirmity go hand in hand, it's the character and quality of Christ's power and thereby the nature of His Kingdom.  But today we get more dimension to this understanding of the power and nature of the Kingdom.  Jesus is rejected in His hometown of Nazareth; He can't do much there.  They're mostly resentful of Him; how can this person they knew as the carpenter's son be such a Man?   Jesus marvels.  We know that by now His ministry is extraordinarily popular, great crowds forcefully push at Him wherever He goes.  But not here.  Jesus says, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."   This is a very important statement, as it appears in all four Gospels.  But He sets the tone for the disciples, He moves on.  And the next step is sending them out, two by two.  Nothing will stop the gospel message and the news of the Kingdom.  We see more evidence of the reality of this Kingdom in the instructions to the apostles:  go humbly, rely on God, take not much for the journey, stay and remain in the first place where you are welcome.  And when the message is rejected and the Kingdom isn't received, they are to shake off the dust of their feet in testimony.   Everything is a preparation for the ultimate Judgment.  This is the power of the Kingdom, the power of the gospel message.  And of course, there is healing and casting out of unclean spirits.  All of it is to "set things right."  Repentance is to turn from other ways of thinking toward the "thinking" of the Kingdom.  This is a kingdom of hearts and souls, its place is within us and among us.  Its place is in the persons of the apostles, and they bring the Kingdom to others, they carry it with them.   It's important -- in my opinion, essential -- that we "get" the note my study bible makes about the healing oil.  The work and power of the Kingdom is infused through creation.  Just so, God's work is in us, the Kingdom is in us, and we may bear it wherever we go via our own "repentance" or "change of mind."  Like these apostles, we also can be those who bring the Kingdom near to others.   And this is the mission, that we bear the presence of the Kingdom in ourselves, carry it with us to others wherever we go, that we keep looking forward and moving on.  Where we find rejection, we leave Judgment to God.  We know also the fruits of the spirit, and God's peace.  Let us remember their first mission and strive to be like them, and remember what we bear within ourselves, and that the real job is to carry the Kingdom within us by following His commands ourselves.

Do not be afraid; only believe

 Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea.  And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name.  And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death.  Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live."  So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.

Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians.  She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.  When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.  For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."  Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.  And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"  But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"  And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.  But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.  And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."

While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead.  Why trouble the Teacher any further?"  As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe."  And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.  Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.  When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep?  The child is not dead, but sleeping."  And they ridiculed Him.  But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the hand, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.  Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."  Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age.  And they were overcome with great amazement.  But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

- Mark 5:21-43

Yesterday, we read that after crossing the Sea of Galilee in a great storm by night, Jesus and the disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.  And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains.  And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.  When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.  And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I implore You by God that You do not torment me."  For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"  Then He asked him, "What is your name?"  And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many."  Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.  Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains.  So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them."  And at once Jesus gave them permission.  Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.  So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country.  And they went out to see what it was that had happened.  Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.  Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.  And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.  However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."  And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

 Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea.  And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name.  And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death.  Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live."  So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.  Jesus and the disciples have returned to the "central" site of His preaching and teaching in Galilee from the country of the Gadarenes across the Sea of Galilee.  Here, an important man in the community, a ruler of the synagogue, comes to Christ.  He's deeply concerned over the serious condition of his little daughter.  My study bible says of his words, that if Christ lays His hands on her "she will live," that only God has authority over life and death.  It's another affirmation of His divinity and the fact that He is Christ.

Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians.  She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.  When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.  For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."  Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.  And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"  But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"  And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.  But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.  And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."    Here's an unexpected event, a delay in Jesus' going to the house of the ruler of the synagogue.  It's the work of the divine in action:  this woman, of her own accord and faith, seeks only to touch Jesus' garment as He is on His way through the crowd.  And we see how crowded it is indeed, that His disciples complain that they can't possibly know who touched Him.  But the power of God works of its own accord here; she healed and Christ understands the power has gone from Him.  My study bible says that this demonstrates Christ's power to cleanse and to heal, as her hemorrhage would cause her ceremonial defilement, meaning that under the Law she would have been restricted from participation in religious and social life -- contact with blood was strictly prohibited (Leviticus 15:25).  But her faith trumps everything.  Jesus, in fact, brings her out and exhibits her faith as an example to everybody.

While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead.  Why trouble the Teacher any further?"  As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe."  And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.  Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.  When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep?  The child is not dead, but sleeping."  And they ridiculed Him.  But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the hand, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.  Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."  Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age.  And they were overcome with great amazement.  But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.   Despite the delay, and the proclamation by the servants that Jairus' daughter is now dead, Jesus is working on a kind of authority over time that surpasses everything else "earthly" that we understand.  Weeping and wailing and practicing of mourning are already going on at Jairus' house over the girl.   These people in the house go so far as to ridicule Jesus when He tells them that she's merely sleeping.  He puts them all outside the house and keeps with Him only His closest disciples, James, John, and Peter, and the parents of the girl whose only desire is to save their daughter.  She immediately arises at Jesus' command.   It's the power of life and death on display -- something so suggestive of Jesus' divine identity that He commands that no one speak of it.  The affirmation of life is immediate in His instruction that the girl be given something to eat.

The two stories in today's reading are linked together in each of the Synoptic Gospels.  They both have to do with women:  one at the end of girlhood and the beginning of maturity at twelve years of age, the other much older, with a flow of blood that has lasted twelve years.  One's on the verge of entering into her adult life, and the other has spent all she had on physicians and has suffered many things at their hands, the text tells us.  One is the daughter of a very prominent man, ready to enter into social life, and the other is at the end of the scale:  untouchable because of her affliction, without funds, desperate.    Jairus' daughter has her influential parents, a whole household full of people to support them and to mourn her, and the woman with the bloodflow has nothing left but her own meager effort to simply touch the hem of Jesus' garment as He passes by in the thronging crowds.  You really couldn't get more opposite pictures than of these two women, both in need of the help of Christ.  And the thread that ties them together is faith.  Our reading today demonstrates the clear power of faith at work.  Jesus brings out the destitute woman, an outcast because of her blood flow, and praises her before the whole crowd -- including Jairus the ruler of the synagogue -- for her faith, which has activated His power to heal and brought about a great sign for everyone.  By the time Jesus reaches Jairus' house, his daughter is also given up as a hopeless case.   But not for Christ, who defies all worldly understanding to bring her to life.  We note carefully that Jesus has told Jairus, "Do not be afraid, only believe."  And that's the word that we take for today.  There's a great truth in the reading that we can find in all sorts of situations:  desperate need makes friends of anyone, people from all walks of life.  Both Jairus' daughter and this friendless woman come together in that place of seeming hopelessness.   Their status doesn't matter, their relative wealth or lack of it doesn't matter, her terrible years of experience and the young girl's sudden disastrous affliction all come together here.    The abandoned and destitute woman and the girl's prominent parents are all in that same place of needing Christ, and needing faith to make all the difference.  And if you think about it, that's the place where we may all sometimes find ourselves, the place where we may all really come together no matter what our other differences.  It's that place of deep need where only faith will help, and only one Savior can help us, where it really doesn't matter what else our worldly differences are.  That's the place that Christ is for us, where time seems suspended, where faith makes the difference and brings direction and healing.  We may not all get the outcome we want, but it's our faith that will bring us through, His power that makes the difference between the "rules" of the world, and the hope we have in Christ.  It is His power that brings new life, even out of the most disastrous of situations, when all other hope has been exhausted.

My name is Legion; for we are many

 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.  And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains.  And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.  When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.  And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I implore You by God that You do not torment me."  For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"  Then He asked him, "What is your name?"  And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many."  Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.  Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains.  So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them."  And at once Jesus gave them permission.  Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.

So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country.  And they went out to see what it was that had happened.  Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.  Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.  And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.  However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."  And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

- Mark 5:1-20

Yesterday, we read that when evening had come after a day of preaching to the crowds in parables, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was.  And other little boats were also with Him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!"  And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?"  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"

  Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.  And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains.  And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.  When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.  And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I implore You by God that You do not torment me."  For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"  Then He asked him, "What is your name?"  And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many."  Let's consider the scene before us, like a stage that is set.   Jesus and the disciples have come from across the other side of the Sea of Galilee, through a raging windstorm that had seasoned fishermen worried for their lives.  It was Jesus who told the disciples, "Let us cross over to the other side."  Clearly, there was some aim or purpose in mind on Jesus' part.   My study bible says that the country of the Gadarenes, located in Galilee, was an area with many Gentiles living among the Jews.  But as they arrive, the disciples see this scene.   He's a man so completely outside of community that he's been forced to live among the tombs; he can't be bound or contained inside of community laws, rules, order.  Even the shackles and the chains can't hold him.  He cries out night and day, cutting himself with stones.  He's a man clearly in chaos, outside of right order or rationality.  He's far away from what Logos represents, and we find out why:  he's "occupied" by a legion of unclean spirits.  But we get a clue as to the heart of this man:  his first action is to run to Jesus and worship Him.  Some people dispute the translation of this Greek word into "worship," but it's the word commonly used for the worship position, kneeling down as if to kiss the feet of Christ.  As is now "usual" in Mark's Gospel, the unclean spirits know who Jesus is.  It must be a shocking, stunning sight to the disciples, who've already crossed the sea in terror for their lives because of the night storm.

Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.  Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains.  So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them."  And at once Jesus gave them permission.  Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.   The evidence of Gentile influence is here in the herding of the swine.  My study bible tells us that in the opinion of many, these are apostate Jews who've taken to herding swine, forbidden by Law (Deuteronomy 14:8) as swine are considered unclean animals.  In that sense, it's "fitting" that the unclean spirits go into the swine.  We note that while God protected this man as human being from the full influence of these destructive demons, the swine sweep down the cliff in suicidal frenzy.

So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country.  And they went out to see what it was that had happened.  Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.  Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.   Again, we see evidence of the "impurity" or irreverence of these people; they aren't glad that the man is healed.  Instead, they're just upset because of the loss of the swine.   They reject Christ and His work for themselves and plead with Him to leave.  This isn't real community, it's a place that has "wrong-relatedness" -- they are not righteous people.

And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.  However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."  And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.  The Decapolis (Greek, meaning "ten cities") was a region of Greek-speaking cities in a frontier of the Roman Empire.  Each was a city-state but they shared Greek and Roman culture.  Again, we're dealing with a region with a high level of Gentile influence, but this healed demoniac becomes the perfect "apostle" for Christ's work, showing and proclaiming all that Jesus had done for him.

It's important that we understand the disciples have gone with Jesus into what is still historically Jewish territory, but with a very strong Gentile influence from colonization throughout various historical periods.  We see those who are ostensibly Jewish herding swine, unthinkable in more "pure" Jewish regions like Jerusalem and Judea.  And for this sort of influence those from Galilee are looked down upon, generally speaking.  In fact Jesus' own ministry is disparaged because of His own Galilean origins (by those who do not know He was born in Bethlehem, we should note).   In John's Gospel, we read statements to this effect more than once (see John 7:52, also John 1:46).   But nothing stops Jesus from traveling to this place -- we might call it "God-forsaken" otherwise! -- and coming to this man occupied with a legion of demons, or "unclean spirits" as the passage tells us.  A Legion was a unit of the Roman army (and therefore also a symbol of the Gentile influence and occupation) composed of between 3,000 to 6,000 men.  We can't imagine the baffling, frightening, even terrifying meaning of this image confronting the disciples.  The demons rush into the thousands of swine, also no doubt disturbing to the disciples who consider themselves to be devout Jews.  It's an extraordinary sort of picture, as a scene possibly set in a Greek myth such as the stories of Jason or Odysseus, but with an essentially Jewish spiritual understanding to the story.  The meaning can't be lost on us, either, as we see that Jesus has traveled here and commanded His disciples to do so apparently just to reach this one man.  It's an extraordinary feat:  dispatching thousands of demons along with (appropriately for the spiritual perspective of the story), in effect, thousands of swine.  This part of the story shows Jesus' great spiritual power.  But there's also the adventure of faith in the crossing of the sea by night in a terrible storm, Jesus' fearless leadership into this place where God has been abandoned by God's people, in order to save this man who has become frenzied and outcast by the influence of the demons.   He lives among the tombs as a sign of the loss of his right and proper life under God's care.  Our hero in this "mythical-type" story is Christ who comes across the sea and into strange territory in order to salvage the life of one so besieged and yet full of faith, who runs to worship at Jesus' feet when He appears.  And that's what we take with us.  That is the Jesus who is the Redeemer, the Ransomer, the one who rescues us from wherever we are held and bound, from our place as outcasts driven by torment of one kind or another.  This is the Christ we know, and the faith and discipleship He calls us toward.  This is the Man who has taught the leadership that the Sabbath was made for man, whose whole ministry characterizes the "Most High God" as the One who heals, in every kind of possible way.  Jesus gives us salvation, and there is nothing too powerful for Him to reach into and to transform;  He saves the demoniac as He saves the world.  There is no territory where He is unwelcome or unable to enter via faith, no matter how abandoned we may feel. 

Let us cross over to the other side

 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was.  And other little boats were also with Him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!"  And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?"  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"

- Mark 4:35-41

Yesterday's reading gave us more of Jesus parables, with which He preached to the multitudes:   He said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed?  Is it not to be set on a lampstand?  For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."  Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear.  With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.  For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."  And He said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.  For the earth yields crops by itself:  first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.  But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."  Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God?  Or with what parable shall we picture it?  It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade."  And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it.  But without a parable He did not speak to them.  And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Le us cross over to the other side."  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was.  And other little boats were also with Him.   This story appears in all the Synoptic Gospels, but here's again just one little detail in Mark (the briefest of the Gospels) that gives us a part of the story:  the crowds are so attached to Jesus that people follow them in other little boats as well.  We remember His present tendency to preach from a boat to crowds at the sea, to avoid being crushed by all those who seek to touch Him.

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!"  And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?"  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"   There's another revelation here; the disciples ask themselves, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"   It's another sign that He's the Messiah or Christ, another sign of His divine nature.  But He's also very human in this story, asleep on a pillow in the stern.  We can assume that He needs rest with all the activities we've been reading about.  And what about faith?  My study bible says that Christ and the disciples in a boat is a traditional image of the Church.  It says that God permits storms and also delivers us through them, so that we can see His protection more clearly.  Christ's rebuke of the storm is an illustration of "calming the tempests in the human soul," my study bible tells us.

Things have reach a strong midpoint in Jesus' ministry:  He's appointed the Twelve to be His disciples and to live with Him; He's given them power to heal and cast out demons and appointed them to give the gospel message.  They've yet to go out on their first apostolic journey, they're still learning from Him.  And we can assume that this is a learning curve in today's reading:  their faith is being tested.  It's another sign that things are progressing and that they are meant to progress with Him and through His  ministry.  Jesus has great crowds pressing in on  Him (even in the little boats that follow them as they head for the other side of the Sea of Galilee).   And He has begun to preach in parables, "weeding out" those who really want the knowledge of the Kingdom from those who don't really "have ears to hear."  All of this is a question of faith.  And here in today's reading is yet a new learning curve.  Heading to the other side of the sea, they're going into fairly unknown territory.  The Sea of Galilee is actually a very large lake, and among these men are experienced fishermen from a port on this Sea.  But it's their own territory they're used to.  "Crossing over" is heading into unfamiliar ground.  And this is so spiritually as well, as we shall sea in tomorrow's reading.  The beginning of this journey is a test of faith.   Matthew's account tells us that the winds stir up without warning -- windstorms would not be uncommon on this lake given how it is situated, and the resulting waves can be threatening to a little fishing boat.  But it's a good metaphor for setting out on a journey of faith, which is so often accompanied -- even right in the beginning -- by a confrontation with a great fear, something that means we're crossing an internal barrier.  My study bible says that God takes us across and into unfamiliar territory and gives us confrontation with the types of things that threaten our faith for a reason:  we learn a deeper faith.  But there is more:  it broadens us and stretches us out.  We learn the strength we find in God.  It prepares us for greater challenges.  These men will reach the other side of the Lake and find an even greater and more astonishing thing, and it really has to do with the spiritual power of Christ and the challenges to it that they must encounter as future apostles.  Let us remember when we are faced with a great challenge and with unfamiliar ground:  if God leads us forward, we must be looking for ways through we haven't necessarily learned yet.  We're being stretched, we're pushed for growth, and our faith takes a deeper and stronger shape through it.  We might be terribly frightened and dismayed at what we don't yet know how to handle or never thought we wanted, but when it's all over we just might find we were never more alive than in our reliance on God.  Looking back, we treasure the new life we're given.