And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes

 

 When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.  But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late.  Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."  But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  He said, "Bring them here to Me."  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. 

 

- Matthew 14:13-21 

 

Yesterday we read that at that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.  Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."  And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.  But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter."  And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.  So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.  

 

 When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.  When Jesus heard it refers to the fact that Jesus has heard that Herod has taken note of Jesus and His ministry with its healings and exorcisms, and that Herod fears Jesus is John the Baptist returned from the dead (see yesterday's reading above).  He goes to a deserted place to avoid the power and paranoid scrutiny of Herod.

 

 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late.  Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."  But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  He said, "Bring them here to Me."  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.  My study Bible has several comments upon this passage.  First, it's noted that this miracle is reported by all four evangelists; it shows Jesus feeding a great multitude of His people as He fed the Israelites in the desert (see Exodus 16).  According to patristic sources, this feeding is an image of the Eucharist; this idea is made clear in John 6.   Further along in St. Matthew's Gospel (Matthew 15:32-39), there is another feeding miracle in which Jesus feeds four thousand people with seven loaves and a few small fish.  While some modern scholars wish to say these are the same story, my study Bible comments that the witness of the gospel is clear that they are two distinct accounts.  Indeed, Christ explicitly refers to both of them as separate incidents (Matthew 16:8-10).  That He is moved with compassion is used frequently with Jesus (Matthew 20:34; Mark 1:41, 6:34; Luke 7:13), which shows that (in contrast to Herod, by way of note), the Lord's power is extended to those who suffer.  There is yet another spiritual interpretation according to patristic writers, that teaches that the five loaves indicate the five books of the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy), which are broken open in Christ and thereby feed the universe.  The two fish are representative of the Gospel Book and the Epistle Book, the teaching of the fishermen.  It's also noted that the apostles gather the leftovers, which shows that the teachings which the faithful are unable to grasp are nonetheless held in the consciousness of the Church.  Additionally, we note that Jesus, upon taking the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven and blessed the loaves.  My study Bible comments that He shows us that we should never eat without first giving thanks to God.  The terminology used in today's passage points to the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26), and it leads to a eucharistic interpretation of the miracle.  Just as the disciples distribute the bread to the multitudes, so also Christ feeds the Eucharist to His flock through the hands of His bishops and presbyters.  

 

Today's reading invites us to consider Christ's compassion. Overall, we know that Jesus has come into the world as Incarnate Son in order to be with us (Matthew 1:23).  Note how that verse in St. Matthew's first chapter makes it clear that Christ's Incarnation is in fulfillment of Scripture, something devoutly awaited.  In St. John's Gospel Jesus declares to Nicodemus, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16-17).  So it is out of love, and compassion (for God to be with us) that Jesus has been sent into the world, to be one of us.  In today's reading, the hospitality of the Lord is on full display for all of these who have followed Him into the wilderness, a deserted place.  He doesn't know these people, but they know Him (or at any rate, they have heard about Him).  They are the crowds, the multitudes, who follow Him even as He seeks to escape the eye of Herod, who now fears Him, for Herod thinks He is St. John the Baptist risen from the dead (see yesterday's reading, above).  In today's reading, we note that we are told that He first healed their sick.  But as it continued into the evening, and they had nothing to eat, the disciples reminded Him they should send the people away.  But Jesus doesn't want to do that; He wants them to remain.  Moreover, He wants His disciples to feed them.  He says, "You give them something to eat."  Too often when we consider the Eucharist, we are unaware in a modern context that sacrifice was always a part of a communal meal.  In this case, the Lord Himself wishes a communal meal, but He is the One who will feed the people, and through His disciples.  He sends them to find food, and whatever they can bring to Him, He will make of it a proper meal.  This should be a proper metaphor for all kinds of solutions to problems in our lives.  It is part and parcel of faith to do so, and to wait upon the Lord, to trust and make the best of what we're given, guided by prayer.  Note that Jesus begins with the meager fare, and blesses it.  It's in the breaking of the bread that the miraculous happens, a multiplication of what is.  These people who have desperately followed Him are elsewhere said to be "like sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:34).  And, of course, Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-18).  But what we observe of Christ, who came into the world as one of us, to be with us, is that His hand is always extended.  These people follow Him, and He simply is not able to be alone.  But they are welcome, and He finds occasion to institute what will become the Eucharist, to share Himself as completely as possible, even with the multitudes.  In all of this we're given the nature of our God, and the expansiveness of God's compassion for us.  Clearly it is extended to all, but realized through faith.  It is said that in the monasteries, and from the times of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, hospitality was the most highly regarded priority.  Even prayers were interrupted to open the door to a knock.  Jesus shows Himself as fulfillment even from Abraham, who "entertained strangers unawares" (Hebrews 13:2; Genesis 18); of course, one of those "strangers" was the Lord.  Christ's hospitality extends to all of us all the time; let us be aware of our response and reception of it.

 

 

 

 

 

And He took the five loaves the the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes

 

 When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.  But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late.  Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."  But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  He said, "Bring them here to Me."  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  And He took the five loaves the the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. 

 

- Matthew 14:13-21 

 

 Yesterday we read that at this time in Christ's ministry, Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.  Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."  And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.  But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter."  And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.  So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

 

  When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.   According to Theophylact, when Jesus heard it refers not to John's death (see yesterday's reading, above), but to Herod's comment that Jesus is John raised from the dead.  It tells us perhaps that this is a signal of another turning point in Christ's ministry.  Recently we read He was rejected in His hometown of Nazareth.  He is already being questioned and menaced by the Jewish religious establishment, the Pharisees and scribes.  With Herod fearing Christ and His power, it is a sign that state power has now turned its attention to Him.  So perhaps this turning to a deserted place by Himself is, as is His custom, a time for prayer and communion with the Father, seeking the direction His ministry should take in response and for the future.

 

  But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late.  Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."  But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  He said, "Bring them here to Me."  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  And He took the five loaves the the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.   Jesus is unable to get away by Himself, as by now His popularity and the the demand for Him is so great.  My study Bible comments that this miracle, which is reported by all four Evangelists, shows Jesus feeding a great multitude of God's people, just as He, as Lord, fed the Israelites in the desert (see Exodus 16).  In this feeding in the wilderness, we're told, the Church Fathers see an image of the Eucharist, an idea which is made clear in John 6.  There is another miracle in the future reading in St. Matthew's Gospel, in which Jesus feeds four thousand people, with a different number of loaves.  My study Bible comments that some modern scholars try to say that they're the same story, but Jesus' words make clear they are not (Matthew 15:32-39; 16:8-10).  It is frequently written of Christ that He was moved with compassion (Matthew 20:34; Mark 1:41, 6:34; Luke 7:13), which shows that His power and authority are extended to people who suffer.  There is also a spiritual interpretation regarding the five loaves, that it indicates the five books of the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy), which my study Bible says are broken open in Christ and thereby feed the universe.  The two fish represent the Gospel Book and the Epistle Book, the teaching of the fishermen.  In blessing the food, Jesus shows us that we should not eat without first giving thanks to God.  This terminology He uses points to the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26) and contributes to the eucharistic interpretation of this miracle.  As the disciples distribute the bread to the multitudes, so Christ feeds the Eucharist to His flock through the hands of His bishops and presbyters.  The gathering of the leftover by the apostles shows that the teachings which we are unable to grasp are nevertheless always held in the consciousness of the Church. 

 

The story of the loaves and fishes reminds us about abundance; it invites us to ask questions.  Where does abundance come from?  What constitutes abundance?  When is it that we feel we need such abundance?  It's important to note that the people who followed Him on foot from their cities truly desired Him.  His compassion first comes in the form of healing.  In other Gospels, we also find He preached to them.  St. Mark tells us that Jesus was moved with compassion for these people because they were "like sheep not having a shepherd," and so His first act of compassion is to teach them many things (see Mark 6:30-44).  So perhaps our first consideration is to contemplate just what Jesus feeds these people with -- which things does He truly sense they need, and in what order or priority?  There is also the fact that it is because they remain with Him for so much time that the necessity for food comes to the fore.  Jesus shows them tremendous, and importantly for customs and culture in Christian context, hospitality.  He makes the table for them, so to speak, invites them to His supper.  And this language obviously applies to the suggestion of the Eucharist to come.  But perhaps the greatest "sign" here for us to see is Christ's power of multiplication, for such a power belongs to God.  Such a power belongs to the God who created the world.  Perhaps there are many today who speak about an underlying framework of reality which occurs as fractal (see especially symbologist Jonathan Pageau).  That is, the repeated images and patterns which occur and re-occur, scaled to all measure of scale, from the largest to the smallest.  One example of a fractal pattern is the phenomenon of snowflakes; they seem to be a repeated pattern when they occur, each bears resemblance to another but each is unique, infinitely replicating and yet diverse in detail.  This study of reality as an underlying pattern of fractals gives rise to considerations about the creative power of God, and the presence of that very creative power in all things we know.  One small reflection of that is the pattern of the Eucharist, the pattern of this feeding in the wilderness -- and a great example lies in the pattern of Christ's multiplication of the fish and loaves in order to feed a whole multitude.  It is an act which mirrors and reflects the way that God creates.  This feeding itself is a type of pattern, which will be fulfilled in the Eucharist, which in turn will come to be fulfilled in our participation in the life of Christ and our coming together, and being consistently reborn as community, as the faithful in Christ's Kingdom.  If we think about how this very example of God's creative power as multiplicity may work in our lives as faithful, then we may also come to understand how we follow Christ in times of need, or difficulty, or when we are also like sheep not having a shepherd, when we seek answers to problems that present themselves to us.  We always have our Shepherd, and it is the pattern of His very life that is set down for us to repeat, each as a unique expression of faith in following Him.  Do we feel we lack abundance? We might start with gratitude for what we do have, and prayer for what we think we don't.  Do we need to care for people and feel we will be unable to do so?  We start with hospitality and work from there.  We see what we can multiply, what we can divide, who has something that will help and is willing to do so.  And we start with everything in love, because God is love, and if love does not guide us, then we are being misled.  These are all patterns of repetition and multiplication that we need to seek when we are out "in the wilderness" so to speak, for we seek Him in all things (another example of how fractals work).  We seek the meaning that Christ can offer, even in our suffering, for the Cross is also one of those patterns of our lives that means we are to live "like Him."  In this sense we think of the power of God for multiplication, that we each become temples to God, and the Holy Spirit can work in this way as a pattern of multiplication in us, through our communities, through time, for He is the finger of God, sent by the Father, through the Son.  These are all the endlessly multiplied fractals of holy power, the creative power of God, working through our lives and through Jesus Christ, our Lord who gave us all things.  Let us consider the blessings we've got, and be thankful for them, engaging in these gifts for all of us from God.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what the 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 now King Herod heard of Jesus, 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 it to you."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, 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 th 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 hears 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 the had done and what they had taught.  This verse continues the narrative of the Gospel from the reading in which Jesus sent out the Twelve on their first apostolic mission (see this reading).  Yesterday's story of the beheading John the Baptist (see above) was given parenthetically, as an explanation of Herod's fear that Jesus is John the Baptist returned from the dead.

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.  My study Bible comments that Christ gives rest to His disciples to show those engaged in preaching and teaching that they must not labor continuously, but must also take rest.  

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.  My study Bible comments that this miracle is reported by all four evangelists.  It shows Jesus feeding a great multitude of His people as He fed the Israelites in the desert (see Exodus 16).  It notes that the Church Fathers see in this an image of the Eucharist, which is an idea made clear in John 6.  There is another feeding miracle reported in Mark 8:1-10, in which Jesus feeds four thousand people with seven loaves and a few small fish.  Some modern scholars have attempted to say that these are simply the same story, my study Bible says, but the witness of the Gospels is clear that they are two distinct accounts -- and Christ Himself refers to them separately (Mark 8:17-21).  The text tells us that Jesus was moved with compassion, a phrase used consistently concerning our Lord (Matthew 20:34; Mark 1:41; Luke 7:13).  It shows that Christ's power and authority are extended to those who suffer.  My study Bible further mentions that there is a spiritual interpretation in patristic literature which teaches that the five loaves indicate the five books of the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy), which are broken open in Christ and therefore feed the universe.  The two fish are representative of the Gospel Book and the Epistle Book, the teaching of the fishermen.  That the apostles gather the leftovers shows that the teachings which the faithful are unable to grasp are nonetheless held in the consciousness of the Church.  Additional understandings from this miraculous feeding include that we are shown here we should never eat without giving thanks to God.  This terminology, my study Bible says, points to the Last Supper (Mark 14:22-24) which also leads to a eucharistic interpretation of this miracle in today's reading.  As the disciples distribute the bread to set before the multitudes, so also Christ feeds the Eucharist to His flock through the hands of His bishops and presbyters.

 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.   After this significant occasion and development in His ministry, note that Christ departed to the mountain to pray.  So we should imitate Him at each new turn in our own lives, for guidance and the strengthening of our faith.

The feeding of the five thousand is also significant in the symbolism of the numbers.  Five is often seen as a number that symbolizes change, and this is, effectively, the story of the New Covenant, in which Christ -- as my study Bible says -- feeds the universe.  The "thousand" number gives us the sense of universality, and the multitudes included therein.  He who spoke the universe into existence, as the Word Himself, is the One who also comes into our world as the Son of Man, living the life of a human being, a creature of God, and so able to feed the entire creation through all that He does in that life, and through this New Covenant, His gospel.  At His Ascension, we understand that He rises -- including His now-glorified human flesh -- to sit at the right hand of the Father.  That is, He sits on the throne of judgment, as the Almighty, and so fills the place as the One to whom every knee shall  bow, rendering God all in all (1 Corinthians 15:28).  This story not only teaches us a sense of universal fulfillment through Christ, but also of the universality of the very food He offers, which may include all a universe can give to us, regardless of our specific needs.  We turn to Him first, regardless of our need, our problem, our desire, our question to Him.  He is there for all, and this miracle declares this to be true.  Let us remember that all that He does comes from compassion.  The text says that 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.  For He is our great Good Shepherd, who serves, protects, guides, and feeds us with what we need.

Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed"

 

 Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.  But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once.  So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her.  And she served them. 

At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.  And the whole city was gathered together at the door.  Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him. 

Now in the morning, having arisen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.  And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him.  When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You."  But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth."  And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.  

Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean."  Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."  As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.  And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."  However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.

 

- Mark 1:29–45 

 

Yesterday we read that, after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent, and believe in the gospel."  And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."  They immediately left their nets and followed Him.  When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets.  And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.  Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.  And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.  Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit.  And he cried out, saying, "Let us alone!  What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth?  Did You come to destroy us?  I know who You are -- the Holy One of God!"  But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!"  And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.  Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this?  What new doctrine is this?  For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him."  And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.

 

  Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.  But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once.  So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her.  And she served them.   Here, Jesus heals by touch, taking Peter's mother-in-law by the hand and lifting her up.  Notice once again the use of the word immediately in Mark's Gospel, how her fever immediately left her.  Jesus restores her to her place of honor in the household, as who serves Christ and His ministry.

At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.  And the whole city was gathered together at the door.  Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.  My study Bible notes that Mark tells us that Jesus did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.  This is yet a second emphasis in Mark's Gospel of this need for His messianic identity to be kept a secret (the first was in yesterday's reading, when Christ cast out an unclean spirit who identified Him as "the Holy One of Israel").  

Now in the morning, having arisen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.  And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him.  When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You."  But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth."  And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.  My study Bible comments on this passage that here Jesus sets forth for us an example of spiritual life.  It says that although He is God Incarnate, Jesus prayed continually, frequently finding a solitary place so that He is free from distraction, despite the multitude's need of Him.  Christ's ministry comes forth from that communion with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and it flows to people in their needs.  His praying in the morning, it says, teaches us that we must put as first priority our commitment to God, and only then will we be equipped to serve others.

Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean."  Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."  As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.  And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."  However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.  My study Bible tells us that the biblical law concerning leprosy is found in Leviticus 13 and 14.  In Deuteronomy 24:8 we find the description of the purification of lepers and of leprous houses, a duty which was entrusted to the priests.  For this reason, Jesus tells the healed man, "Show yourself to the priest," as this was necessary according to the Mosaic Law for re-entering into the community.    Leprosy was considered to be a direct punishment for sins, and as lepers were therefore unclean, they were not permitted to live in the community or to worship in synagogues or the temple, my study Bible says.  To touch the unclean was forbidden (Leviticus 7:21), but here Jesus touched the leper nonetheless, and showed His compassion.  Moreover it shows also that He is not subject to the Law but over it.  My study Bible comments that to the clean, nothing is unclean.  

In his Epistle to the Romans, St. Paul writes an extensive discussion concerning practices within the Church.  It's important to remember, in that context, that the early Church was made up of people who were Jews and also of people who were non-Jews, and all were living in a society that was nominally pagan in its codes and practices.  The discussion of eating meat found therein is important because virtually all meat available in the wider marketplace was from animals that had been sacrificed to idols, so therefore for Christians this presented a significant problem, as food sacrificed to idols was to be avoided (Acts 15:28-29).  In Romans chapter 14, St. Paul writes, "I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean."  In the Letter to the Romans, St. Paul has an extensive discussion based on what is good for the whole of the community, the importance of not scandalizing others in the faith, and preventing sin. All of this is based on and around what is called the Law of Love.  While his topic is ostensibly about food, this teaching clearly applies to other things as well, and here is where the comment in my study Bible, "to the clean, nothing is unclean," is used to frame Christ's touching of the leper to heal him.  Let us note that this saying is not used to justify or to permit just anything, but rather to teach us what it is to first begin -- as Jesus does in today's reading -- within our relationship to God, which is the basis for all else that we do in the world.  To be "clean" in this context is all about this inner reconciliation to God, as illustrated in today's reading by Jesus starting His day a long while before daylight, and finding a solitary place, in order to pray.  If we look carefully at the Torah and its system of sacrifices as established for the temple, we will understand that the entire root and aim of the practices was setting the community in right relationship with God, as community and as individuals.  (A very good book on that subject is Welcoming Gifts: Sacrifice in the Bible and Christian Life, by Fr. Jeremy Davis.)   As Jesus practices a day begun very early in prayer, He shows us how His ministry must flow from there.   It is our orientation to God that focuses us on what we do with our lives; and, as God is love (1 John 4:8), it is to God we turn to learn what it is to live love, to "do" love, so to speak, how to live in community in a proper and righteous and truly loving way.  It is in this right relationship to God that we find what is "clean," and that our sight is cleansed so that we view the world and our place in it properly.  This, of course, is an ongoing process, and full of change, as life is full of changes, and we are asked basically to grow as learners and disciples of Christ.  We are meant to learn to see by His light.  Psalm 36:9 reads, "For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light."  Jesus Himself, through His life, death, and Resurrection, and of course His own voluntary sacrifice on the Cross, and therefore in the Eucharist, becomes that reconciliation for us, and so He teaches, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12).  What we find with Christ is an ongoing relationship of love, and teaching, and learning, and growth toward God, deepening who we are and cleansing what we need to cleanse, making right our relationship with God so that we find how we need to walk in accordance with His light.  Christ's compassion teaches and instructs us, but without His guidance, we lose our way in abstractions and demands and self-flattering hypocrisies.  For we are those who, without that light, find all kinds of idols to worship, even things which seemingly are good but nonetheless lead to harm.  Let us have the humility to be cleansed by Christ, in order to find our way to see as He asks us to see.

 

 

 

And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes

 

 When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.  But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late.  Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."  But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  He said, "Bring them here to Me."  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. 

 

- Matthew 14:13-21 

 

Yesterday we read that about that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philips's wife.  Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."  And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.  But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter."  And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.  So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.  

 

  When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.  But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  When Jesus heard it is a reference to the knowledge coming to Jesus that now Herod the tetrarch (Herod Antipas) has begun to fear Him:  Herod believes that Jesus is John the Baptist returned from the dead, and this is the explanation for Jesus' power to heal and cast out demons.  (See yesterday's reading, above.)  Now it is the power of Rome that has taken notice of Him, a more serious and deadly power than even that of the Jewish religious authorities, and it is for this reason Jesus departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.   But although Jesus has withdrawn to a deserted place to avoid public scrutiny, He cannot be hidden.  The multitudes followed Him on foot from the cities.  And so, as often happens at significant turning points in Jesus' ministry, He is moved with compassion for these crowds.  "Moved with compassion," my study Bible notes, is used frequently concerning the Lord (Matthew 20:34; Mark 1:41, 6:34; Luke 7:13).  It notes that this shows that Christ's power and authority are extended to those who suffer.  

  When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late.  Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."  But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  He said, "Bring them here to Me."  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.  This miracle is reported by all four evangelists.  Here Christ feeds the great multitude of His people just as He fed the Israelites in the desert (see Exodus 16).  In patristic commentary, this is seen as an image of the Eucharist, an idea which is also made clear in John 6.  Also in patristic literature there is a spiritual interpretation given regarding the five loaves, stating that they indicate the five books of the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy), which have been broken open in Christ and thereby feed the whole universe.  In this understanding, the two fish are said to represent the Gospel Book and the Epistle Book, the teaching of the fishermen.  The gathering by the apostles of twelve baskets full of fragments that remained shows that the teachings which the faithful cannot grasp are nonetheless held in the consciousness of the Church.  

 

Let us take a closer look here at the specificity of the language:  And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, Christ blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  Besides teaching us that we should not eat without first giving thanks to God (the meaning of the word Eucharist is to give thanks), the terminology points to the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26).  My study Bible comments that just as the disciples distribute the bread to the multitudes, so also Christ feeds the Eucharist to His flock through the hands of His bishops and presbyters.  Perhaps for us this points to something greater to notice about Christ's "signs" or miracles, also called "mighty works" in St. Matthew's Gospel.  They all point to something greater than themselves.  And in this case of the Eucharistic significance of the actions and words used to describe what happens here, this miraculous breakthrough of yet another new revelation in Christ's ministry, another significant turning point, is something tied to that which will be left for us for us all time.  This is not simply a "one-time" incident, but in the Eucharist it will be repeated over and over again through time until the end of the age.  Thereby, we should read this miracle or sign as not only connecting Christ with the Lord of the Old Testament, who fed the Israelites with manna in the wilderness, but links us all in succession within the Church to come -- for all time and from that time forward.  In these connections we observe once again how time and distance are no obstacles to the effectiveness of Christ's miracles and His power.  For each of these things ties even us into them in the Eucharist.  We are fed as the ancient Israelites were fed; our Lord is the same Lord of the Old Testament and is also present to us in Jesus Christ, and in this feeding miracle in the wilderness.  If we view the events in the Bible as simply things that happened two millennia ago, and struggle to think of how that has something to do with us, then we are looking at things the wrong way.  We fail to grasp the bigger picture that is at work here.  In Christ these things stretch back and forth to the ancient and the new, and they are renewed even in us with each new Eucharist.  For none of the elements of Christ's life and ministry, nor the gift He gives of Himself in the Eucharist, is ever lost or gone missing.  They are always present because He is always present.  Let us eat and be filled, remembering even the twelve baskets of fragments left over for the Twelve who would go out to the world bearing His gospel.  For all is present to us still, each day.  It is the gift of His compassion for us all.  We take it in remembrance of Him, until His return.

 

 

 

 

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

 

 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 

 

In yesterday's reading, we read about the apostles' first mission.  They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  Now King Herod heard of Jesus, 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 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 it to you."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, 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.  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.  The story of the beheading of John the Baptist in yesterday's reading (see above) is given parenthetically, so to speak, so that we understand why King Herod Antipas now feels threatened by Jesus.  Here the apostles return from their successful first mission, in which they healed many and cast out demons.   Herod suspects that Jesus is John the Baptist returned from the dead, and this explains the power manifest in Christ's ministry.  As my study Bible says, the King fears John the Baptist even when he is dead.  Christ's ministry and renown have now grown so much that there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.  So He seeks to retreat to a deserted place (once again using a boat) so that they may rest a while.  My study Bible comments that Christ gives rest to His disciples to show those engaged in preaching and teaching that they must not labor continuously, but also must take rest.

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."  Here is another example of Christ's compassion, arising out of seemingly unforeseen circumstances.  So desperate are the people for what Christ offers, that they even ran there on foot from all the cities to follow Him. 

 

 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.  This feeding miracle is reported by all four Evangelists.  It shows Jesus feeding a great multitude, just as He, the Lord, fed the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 16).  In the patristic perspective of the Church, this feeding is seen as an image of the Eucharist, an idea my study Bible says is made clear in John 6.  There is yet a second feeding in the wilderness (Mark 8:1-10), in which four thousand are fed with seven loaves and a few small fish.  Some suggest they are the same story, but their differences are distinct, and Christ Himself refers to each (Mark 8:14-21).  There is an additional spiritual interpretation given in my study Bible, in which it is taught that the five loaves indicate the five books of the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy), which are broken open in Christ and thereby feed the universe.  The two fish are the Gospel Book and the Epistle Book, the teaching of the fishermen.  In the gathering of the leftovers, the apostles gather enough for a basket each.  It shows that the teachings which the faithful are not able to grasp nevertheless remain held in the consciousness of the Church.   The text tells us that 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.   It not only suggests the Eucharist in distribution by the disciples, but His prayer and blessing show us we, also, should give thanks to God before we each.  The terminology points to the Last supper (Mark 14:22) and so leads to a Eucharistic interpretation, my study Bible says.  As the disciples distribute the bread to the multitudes, so  Christ continues to feed the Eucharist to His flock today through His bishops and presbyters.

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.  Our reading began with Jesus seeking to take the disciples aside to a deserted place where they could rest, after their return from their first apostolic journey.  Here, it ends with Jesus Himself retreating to the mountain to pray in solitude, while He sends the disciples across the Sea, and the multitude away.  We have commented in recent readings about Christ and the mountain top moments that mark His ministry.  Here His withdrawal for prayer comes on the heels of yet another extremely significant turning point, and that is this feeding of the multitudes in the wilderness.  The Eucharistic significance is something that was commented on above, in citing notes from my study Bible.   So from that iconic framework itself we understand this is yet another important marker in Christ's ministry.  But let us note a factor in how that came about, and it is one which the Gospels report frequently.  Jesus is confronted with a great crowd of people who have followed Him on foot, although He retreated with the disciples by boat, seeking to get away to a deserted place.   Let us take a close look at Jesus' immediate response:  He is moved with compassion.  The text says that He was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  So He began to teach them many things.   This turning point begins with this important hallmark of Christ's decision making:  He is moved with compassion.  And so, He first feeds this great crowd with what they need.  He began to teach them many things, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  Let's look at this almost visceral impression which Jesus receives upon seeing them, that they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  This seems to give us a sense of Jesus' immediate perception of human hearts and their needs, for it is this to which He responds, and He begins to feed them what they need as lost sheep who need a Shepherd.  He gives them teachings to guide their lives.  Whatever happens next, this great "landmark" event of the feeding of the five thousand men (and yet more women and children were present as well) is sparked through Christ's immediate perception of the need of these people who are like sheep without a shepherd.  And so, in the context of this great feeding in which we recognize the Eucharist to come, we should understand what Christ is doing.  He is moved with compassion to take on this new turn in His ministry, the beginning of the Eucharist, and Himself as the Shepherd whom we need.  For He feeds us not only with food, but with His teachings for us, even His Body and Blood which will be sacrificed and distributed so that He becomes a part of us, body, soul, and spirit.  For we always need this Shepherd, and we need Him in all ways.  We need Him to guide us throughout our lives in every facet, be it emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, communal, or any part of the deep needs of our souls, our minds, our hearts.  Our Shepherd changes the course of His own search for solitude because He is moved with compassion for us, for the state of us which perhaps only He perceives as the true Shepherd we need.  He shifts the course of His ministry yet again, and His retreat for solitary prayer with the Father is perhaps a hint to us of His own seeking with the Father the instructions for this new direction and development.  Let us note also that immediately, now that they have returned from their first mission as apostles, Jesus teaches the disciples to do likewise to His flock ("You give them something to eat").  Let us be grateful for His eternal care to us, His flock.

 

We have here only five loaves and two fish

 

 When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.  But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late.  Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."  But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  He said, "Bring them here to Me."  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

 

- Matthew 14:13-21 

 

Yesterday we read that, at that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.  Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."  And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.  But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter."  And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.  So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

 

When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.   Jesus withdraws to a deserted place by Himself because He has just heard that Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  This is what we've just read in yesterday's lectionary reading (above), and this attention and fear from Herod is what Jesus is responding to.  He withdraws to a place away from the scrutiny of the court and Herod and Roman power.   It's important to observe that Jesus avoids open conflict with the authorities before it is the time for His Passion, also referred to as His hour (see John 7:30, 8:20, 12:27, 13:1, 17:1).

 

 But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  By this time, Christ has difficulty withdrawing from the public, and so now multitudes followed Him on foot from the cities.  Jesus' first response is to be moved with compassion for them when He sees them, and so He healed their sick.  

When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late.  Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."  But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  Here necessity intervenes once again.  These multitudes have already followed Him to this deserted place.  Perhaps Jesus feels responsible for them being there, and we already know that He has compassion for them.  But here is something interesting; Jesus teaches the disciples also to take on some of this responsibility for the people when He says, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat." "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat." 

And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  He said, "Bring them here to Me."  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves too the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. My study Bible points out that this miracle is reported by all four evangelists, and it shows Jesus feeding a great multitude of His people even as He fed the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 16).  In patristic commentary, my study Bible reports, this is seen as an image of the Eucharist -- which is made very clear in John 6.  There is another feeding miracle reported in the following chapter of St. Matthew's gospel (Matthew 15:32-39), in which Jesus feeds four thousand people with seven loaves and a few small fish, which some theorize might be the same story.  But the explicit appearance of different numbers in the crowds and the food elements, and also the witness of the gospel, show that they are two different miracles, as Christ will refer to them separately as two events (Matthew 16:8-10).   There is a spiritual interpretation given in patristic teaching that the five loaves indicate the five books of the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy), which are broken open in Christ and therefore feed the universe.  The two fish represent the Gospel Book and the Epistle Book, the teaching of the fishermen.  Moreover, the gathering of the leftovers by the apostles shows that the teachings the faithful are unable to grasp are nonetheless held in the consciousness of the Church.  

My study Bible also points out that the phrase moved with compassion is used frequently concerning the Lord (Matthew 20:34; Mark 1:41, 6:34; Luke 7:13).  It comments that what this shows is that Christ's power and authority are extended to those who suffer.  And so, we can see from today's reading that Jesus teaches His disciples to do the same.  While He is the One who uses His power to multiply the five loaves and the two fish, He's training His disciples also to use their own capacities on behalf of those who suffer.  He also shows this by example when He begins His expression of compassion by healing the sick brought to Him by the crowd.  It seems to be an important teaching that, when we are serving the Lord in any capacity in our lives, and perhaps particularly when we are called to compassion, we may rely upon the Lord by seeking whatever is at hand to rise to the task.  This is made clear by implication here that the Lord will take what we have and help to prepare and to provide for its use to help and to heal.  This kind of nourishment is material and assuages human hunger, but in this example in today's reading we can also see a metaphorical image of what to feed people and serve their needs on all kinds of levels, for there are many types of needs that human beings have.  It's already been pointed out that in the loaves and the two fish is seen the Scriptures which are another way to nourish people and to give them what they truly need, for our spiritual needs also must be recognized if we're to be wholly nurtured.  It's also important to note that when Christ acts, when the Lord's power and authority are on display, it is always in order to give and not to take.  That is, the creative power of the Lord and Christ's authority are exercised in giving what the world truly needs (even when it's not what the world wants, as we'll see at His rejection by the nation, and as we read in the story of His rejection in His hometown of Nazareth in Wednesday's reading).   This kind of majestic dignity and glory is one of true abundance, for God always has more to give us.  As those who would serve God, it is important to remember this when we feel tired or exhausted, and when we're called to serve in our own ways of nourishing and feeding the world.  This is the way that God's creativity works.  It is always expansive, even if that is in teaching us ways to feed and nurture ourselves so that we may also become creative in the same ways our Lord shows His use of power and authority.  God sets in order and fills with life, as is seen right from the beginning of the Bible.  Here Jesus first sets the people in order, and provides with abundance so that there is life abundantly (John 10:10), a way to show right relatedness and also the glory of God.  In today's feeding are the elements that prefigure the Eucharist, our holy food and drink that nurtures us with His Body and Blood, making us a people of faith and communion in Him.  Let us take these teachings and allow them to shape who we are as well, just as the disciples do. 

 

 

 

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

 

 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 King Herod heard of Jesus, 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 it to you."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, 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.  We recall that the disciples have been sent out on their first missionary journey (see this reading).  Now they return and tell Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 

 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.  My study Bible explains that Christ gives rest to His disciples in order to show those who are engaged in preaching and teaching that they must not labor continuously, but must also take rest.  Although He wishes to withdraw to a deserted place with the disciples, the emphasis here is on the fame that has spread about Jesus.  So much so that the multitudes ran there on foot from all cities.   Let us note that although He had planned for some time with the disciples by themselves, He sees the crowd are like sheep not having a shepherd; thus He is moved with compassion for them.

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.  This feeding miracle is central to the Gospels, and is found in all four.  Jesus feeds five thousand men, and yet more women and children.  Here they are fed by the Lord as the Israelites were fed by Him in the desert (see Exodus 16).  My study Bible notes that in patristic commentary this feeding is seen as an image of the Eucharist, an idea which is made clear in John 6.   Jesus looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people.  In His blessing, my study Bible remarks, we are taught that we must never eat without giving thanks (the word Eucharist comes from the word for giving thanks in Greek).  The terminology used is suggestive of the Law Supper (Matthew 26:26).  The disciples give the bread to the people, as Christ continues to feed the Eucharist to His flock through the hands of bishops and presbyters.   My study Bible also notes a spiritual interpretation of this miracle, in which the five loaves indicate the five books of the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy), which are broken open in Christ, and thereby feed the universe.  The two fish, according to those interpretation, represent the Gospel Book and the Epistle Book, the teaching of the fishermen.  In the gathering of the leftovers by the apostles, we see that the teachings which the faithful are not able to grasp are nonetheless held within the consciousness of the Church, my study Bible adds.  

 

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.   After an extraordinarily busy day, replete with a new revelation of God's mercy and intimation of the Eucharist to come, Jesus follows through with His plan for prayer and rest. This time He departs by Himself, after sending away the multitude and the disciples, instructing them to depart for Bethsaida from this deserted place.  But Jesus now takes time go to the mountain to pray at this new juncture in His ministry of the feeding in the wilderness.

 

One of the most notable details of this reading is Jesus being moved with compassion for the people  because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  How can we underestimate what it is to be "like sheep not having a shepherd?"  That is, to be people without guidance?  Think of the setting; it is a wilderness scene.  That is, it is far away from the cities with their community organization and patterns of behavior shaped by institutions such as the temple or local administration of any kind.  This is an important symbolic setting.  In the Genesis account of the creation of the world, we read that "the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters" (Genesis 1:2).  These words, describing something as "without form," and "void" is a way to describe what is in some sense chaotic, what does not have order and direction.  It is similar, in some sense, to describing people as being like sheep not having a shepherd.  It needs One to guide, to put in order, to establish real substance for life to thrive.  "The deep" is also a way of describing chaos, a place where human beings cannot live, and that is also true of "darkness."  It needs the Lord to create and make an order so that life can not simply be established but also be brought to good fruition, where life can be pronounced "good."  This in a sense is what the people in the wilderness are like.  They run to Christ because they need Him in this same sense that sheep need a shepherd.  The chaos of a herd that knows not where to go, that might follow first this one or that one, is similar to the way that Christ not only describes these people but also suggested in His response:  He is moved with compassion for them, for such is their need.  Note that He has already expressed the desire to go away from the crowds, to get away from all of those people who now form the multitudes which are constantly demanding of Him and His ministry, as there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.  Jesus has already wished to come Himself to a deserted place to discuss with the disciples the results of their first apostolic mission.  But even with this desire, the apparently unexpected state of this crowd draws His compassion, and something new is born.  Like the Spirit hovering over the chaos of the waters, here, the power of God works to institute the beginnings of the structure of the Church and its central framework of worship:  the Eucharist.  It is yet another "beginning" (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1), in which the Spirit that hovers and gives birth to new "good" things provides not simply food in the wilderness to feed the multitudes, but the start of the Eucharist that will feed to us the food of Christ forever, as long as there is worship in this world.  Note that Christ's first response is that He began to teach them many things.  So, for as long as there are people in the world who are like sheep not having a shepherd, there is now an established way to find His guidance, to receive His Body and Blood, and an entire Church with innumerably rich traditions around it as well for our nurturing and for a good life.  We have an abundance of creativity that has gone into this creation, begun yet anew with this feeding from the Lord in the wilderness.  It's important that we note it begins with His compassion, for all things begin with the love of God; there is no other reason why we are created, why we live in a universe of uncountable proportions that teems with life we can't always see, like the chaotic deep water that became alive with innumerable forms of fish and other life through the hovering of the Spirit.  We are here by God's love, and God's love continues to feed us with what is good, because all too often we find ourselves as sheep not having a shepherd, whether we know it or not.  Sometimes we might mistake that for freedom, but children always need their Father to teach them about life, to show them the way, and the right things in which to hope for the future.