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 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 the Sea of Galilee again to Capernaum, 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 child, 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."  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.   Jesus' own country is Nazareth in Galilee, the place where He was raised from childhood.   These are people in the synagogue who know His extended family.  (Brothers and sisters are terms frequently used for extended family and relatives such as cousins, nephews, and step-siblings both in Scripture and by custom in the Middle East.)   Their familiarity with Him and His "place" among them makes for a difficult adjustment to the reality of His ministry, and so they are offended at Him.  My study bible points out that the double response of being both astonished and offended happens frequently with those who encounter Christ (Luke 11:14-16; John 9:16).   Jesus' rejection in his own country foreshadows the rejection by the whole Jewish nation at the trial before Pilate (John 19:14-15).  This saying by Jesus, that a prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house appears in all four Gospels (see also Matthew 13:57, Luke 4:24, John 4:44).  Even Jesus marveled because of their unbelief.  The other occasion upon which we're told Jesus marveled is at the faith of the centurion (Matthew 8:10, Luke 7:9).

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 tells us that the twelve were sent out on this first apostolic journey two by two.  In Matthew's Gospel, the apostles' names are given in pairs, suggesting who may have traveled with whom (Matthew 10:1-4).  We note the careful humility with which they are to accomplish their mission, which Jesus spells out quite explicitly and deliberately.  To stay in one house until they depart means not to "trade up" for better lodgings as they are accepted in a place.  Any rejection is simply to be met by shaking off the dust under their feet as they depart from there, as a testimony against them.  To anoint the sick with oil has not merely medicinal value but also sacramental value, my study bible notes.   It says, "As God's healing power is bestowed through creation (5:27; Numbers 21:8-9; 2 Kings 13:21; John 9:6-7; Acts 5:15, 19:11-12), so oil is a vehicle of God's mercy and healing in the Church (James 5:14)."

It's interesting to note that Jesus marvels twice in the Gospels.  One incident is with the rejection of His townspeople in Nazareth.  The other is at the faith displayed by the foreigner, the centurion, when Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" (Matthew 8:10).  This word for marvel in the Greek has as its root the same word that's used in common modern language for "miracle."   (That He can do no mighty work due to the lack of faith in Nazareth is the Scriptural language for miracle.)  Marvel means in the context of the Scripture to cause amazement and wonder and astonishment.  That people marvel and wonder and are amazed is one thing.  But when Jesus Himself marvels we really have to be struck by this story.  How can the "knower of hearts" marvel?  What is it He is wondering at, this Creator who has assumed a fully human life and still remains divine?  He knows full well in advance that Judas plans to betray Him, He seems to know all that will happen, and a number of times we're told that He knows what is in men's hearts.  And so, why and how does He marvel at these times -- at the lack of faith of His townspeople in Nazareth, and at the great faith expressed by the centurion?   I'm certain that great theologians have pondered this question and perhaps have an answer that I am not aware of.  But to me this "amazing" phenomenon suggests that God knows each and every thing about us -- but that the great depth and mystery of faith is truly left  to something deep within us that answers with acceptance or rejection.  It almost seems as if the text is telling us that Jesus' incarnation as Messiah, this great cosmic mission that is at the center of all history, opens up revelations to amaze even the Creator Himself.  How human beings respond to the "God-man," Christ, becomes a revelation to all of Creation, and even to the Lord.  Oh, I am certain that in the fullness of the reality of the Trinity, all things are known; but nevertheless, human free will does indeed remain an intriguing mystery.  It is the boundary that God will not cross, for God does not compel us to love God.  Jesus' messianic mission as the Son who is both fully human and fully divine sets off sparks and ripples that continue to amaze, to create wonder, and, I personally imagine, to dazzle a universe via the human responses it creates and builds.  (Today's reading, after all, gives us the first apostolic mission, in which Christ's power is shared with those human beings whose faith is such that they grow from disciples to apostles.)  Jesus Himself said He didn't come to bring peace but a sword, and in this division between the faith of the centurion and the lack of faith of His townspeople, we can see what He's talking about.  So much depends upon just our response.  Can we overcome the "worldly" influence of familiarity or set ways of thinking or values we need to discard?  The centurion has himself been able to do so in having faith in Christ and Christ's power.  Jesus' fellow townspeople have not, and so His power does not work among them -- there is no human faith to connect with His power to heal.  Let us marvel as well at this tremendous mystery of both our creation and Creator -- the One who has given us so much contained within us, and who depends upon us to return His love.   God knows our hearts.  The question of faith asks us if we can "know" God.

Bread in the wilderness

 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.  He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.  And He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.  Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.  And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them."  So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. 

Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.  Herod said, "John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?"  So he sought to see Him.

And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done.  Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.  But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.  When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, "Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here."  But He said to them, "You give them something to eat."  And they said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people."  For there were about five thousand men.  Then He said to His disciples, "Make them sit down in groups of fifty."  And they did so, and made them all sit down.  Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude.  So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of leftover fragments were taken up by them.

- Luke 9:1-17

Yesterday we read about two miracles, a kind of "double miracle," really.  This double miracle is found also in Matthew and Mark's Gospels.  When Jesus returned from the country of the Gadarenes (where he healed the man possessed by a legion of demons), the multitude welcomed Him.  And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue.  And he fell down at Jesus' feet and begged Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying.  But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.  Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment.  And immediately her flow of blood stopped.  And Jesus said, "Who touched Me?"  When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, "Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"  When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, "Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"  But Jesus said, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me."  Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.  And He said to her, "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well.  Go in peace."  While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead.  Do not trouble the Teacher."  But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well."  When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl.  Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping."  And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.  But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Little girl, arise."  Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately.  And He commanded that she be given something to eat.  And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.

 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.  He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.  My study bible tells us, "After being with His disciples for a considerable period, Jesus sends them out on their first mission, giving them power and authority to perform exorcisms and healings as well as to preach the dawn of the kingdom."  What we notice first is the authority.  What is it for?  This is Luke's Gospel, in which we have a consistent emphasis on healing.  Jesus has said earlier, of the sinners and tax collectors with whom He sat at table, when criticized by the Pharisees:  "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

And He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.  Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.  And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them."  So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.   Clearly, they are relying on God and grace for their mission, but most especially they are walking in humility.  There is no fanfare for this kingdom, no great retinue and impressive carriages and grand processions with many possessions adorning such a mission.  They are down to the essentials.  Staying in one place implies that they are not to "trade up" as they are made more welcome or invited to grander accommodations.  Rather, whoever welcomes them first is the place where the good news may take root and spread.  Furthermore, there is no retribution here, this is not a grand army forcing its might, but their authority is to "shake the dust off their feet" in testimony against those who cannot receive this Gospel.  Judgment - and its outcome - is in the hands of God.  There is no retribution.  We can simply witness, testify to what we know.

 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.  Herod said, "John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?"  So he sought to see Him.    My study bible says that "this is Herod Antipas (a son of Herod the Great), ruler of Galilee under Rome.  This is the Herod who had John the Baptist beheaded, and the one in Jerusalem at Jesus' trial, to whom Pilate sent Jesus."  The important thing we understand now is that Jesus' fame has reached such levels that the king has heard about Him, and wants to see Him.

And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done.  Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.  My study bible points out that these twelve are now called "apostles" --- which means "those officially sent on a mission."  It notes that this becomes "their proper title after Jesus' Resurrection."  As is reported also in other Gospels, Jesus first draws them away privately to a deserted place, presumably for rest and prayer after their first mission.

But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.   Again we observe Luke's emphasis on healing, which always accompanies the good news of the kingdom.

When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, "Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here."  But He said to them, "You give them something to eat."  And they said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people."  For there were about five thousand men.  Then He said to His disciples, "Make them sit down in groups of fifty."  And they did so, and made them all sit down.  Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude.  So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of leftover fragments were taken up by them.  My study bible notes:  "All are satisfied when Jesus feeds them.  No one need go away hungry.  This feeding of the 5,000 is a messianic sign."  We note the twelve baskets of fragments left over, one for each apostle.  It is a sign of the "food" which they will offer the world, and with which anyone who comes to Christ will be fed.

What does it mean to feed people in a deserted place?  So often in our lives we may feel called upon to heal, to feed and to nurture without being prepared first, without feeling that we have what we need to call upon in order to help others.  But Christ always prepares a way.  The Apostles are sent out on their first mission, and told to take nothing with them.  They remain simply under the protection of God for everything, and any form of rejection is met simply by shaking the dust off their feet.  The kind of authority and power they have in this kingdom is from a kingdom that is "not of this world."  So what do we do when we feel we are unprepared --  when we feel really way out in the wilderness somewhere, in a deserted place, and we have no resources with which to heal and to feed and to nurture those for whom we may feel a responsibility, or depend upon us for sustenance?  First of all, today's story teaches us that whatever we have at hand, it is enough at least to start with.  We take whatever it is we have, and we start from there, with God's help and with prayer.  From there, we put things in God's hands and we ask for the best outcome, and we do our best.  So often I see people who feel unprepared to live up to the challenges they may be given, and we all feel this way at times.  But it is important to remember that we are in this world on a journey, and just like the disciples we are here not to do one thing or to stay in one place, but to grow in our understanding of God's grace and God's call to us.  As faithful, we are not expected to be perfect, to be the perfectly strong or the perfectly prepared, nor are we expected to have all the answers.  Rather, we are called to live in His kingdom, in faith, and to help one another to grow in that calling.  Let us remember St. Paul's answer he received to his own prayers about infirmity:  "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).  St. Paul's response was to say then, "Gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  Let us remember God's grace when we are called to cope in difficult situations.  Our strength is not of ourselves, and we are not called to be perfect without the Physician who heals and makes us whole.  Rather, we live one step at a time, knowing that God's grace, God's strength, is made perfect in weakness.