Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?

 

 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.  And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"  Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.  I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."  When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.  And He said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, Sent).  So he went and washed, and came back seeing.  Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, "Is not this he who sat and begged?"  Some said, "This is he."  Others said, "He is like him."  He said, "I am he."  Therefore they said to him, "How were your eyes opened?"  He answered and said, "A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.'  So I went and washed and I received sight."  Then they said to him, "Where is He?"  He said, "I do not know."

They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees.  Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.  Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight.  He said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see."  Therefore some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath."  Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?"  And there was a division among them. They said to the blind man again, "What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?"  He said, "He is a prophet."

 

- John 9:1-17 

 

On Saturday, we read that many of Christ's disciples, when they heard Jesus' teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, said, "This is a hard saying; who can understand it?"  When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, "Does this offend you?  What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.  The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.  But there are some of you who do not believe."  For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.  And He said, Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father."  From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.  Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?"  But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?"  He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.

 

 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.  For the mid-Lent week (which has just passed), we were given readings from John chapter 6, a parallel to the Exodus story.  Today's reading begins where we left off before last week, and picks up from the final reading in chapter 8 (see this reading).  In chapters 7 and 8 we read about events at the Feast of Tabernacles, in which Jesus healed a paralytic, and we continue readings from this event in today's lectionary reading.  This first verse of chapter 9 gives us the framework for the sixth sign (of seven) given in John's Gospel.  Out of all the miracle stories in the Bible, my study bible says, this is the only one in which the person was blind from birth.   This blind man, it continues, is symbolic of all humanity:  everyone needs illumination by Christ, who is the Light of the world.  This sign is an illustration of Holy Baptism, which is also called "holy illumination."  

And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"  Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."  Christ rejects the assumption, which was common to the ancient world, that all troubles and illnesses are necessarily the consequence of personal sin or even the sin of parents (see Exodus 20:5, Deuteronomy 5:9 -- contrast with Ezekiel 18:19-21).  My study bible notes that although suffereing can be the direct result of personal sin, this is not always the case!  In this instance, the man's blindness, as declared by Jesus, provides the occasion for the works of God to be revealed, and was not linked directly to this man's personal sins.  

"I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work."  My study bible explains that the work that people do consists of faith (John 6:29), good deeds (John 5:29), and repentance (John 12:40).   The night that comes, it says, refers both to the time after a person's death, and also to the age to come -- when there is no longer an opportunity to express faith.  On that day there will not be faith, but all will submit, according to St. John Chrysostom, whether willingly or unwillingly.

"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."   My study bible comments that the unprecedented healing of the man born blind is a confirmation of Christ's claim here that He is the light of the world (see this reading from chapter 8).   This is the second time at the Feast of Tabernacles that Jesus has made this statement (see John 8:12).  

When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.  In the mixture of clay and saliva, St. Irenaeus sees a type of creation of humanity from the earth (Genesis 2:7).  My study bible adds that Christ reveals His divinity by restoring part of creation using the same material with which He created humanity in the beginning. 

And He said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, Sent).  So he went and washed, and came back seeing.  The pool of Siloam was on the outskirts of Jerusalem, and it was a considerable distance from the temple.   At the Feast of Tabernacles (which Jesus is presently attending), water was taken for the rites connected with the feast.  Siloam, which the text tells us is translated, Sent, is symbolic of Christ, who is the One sent by the Father (John 5:36, 20:21).  My study bible comments that just as this healing of the blind man confirms Christ's claim to be the light of the world in John 8:12, so also, Christ's making use of the pool of Siloam is a confirmation that He is the true purification of the temple and of those who worship in it. 

So he went and washed, and came back seeing.  Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, "Is not this he who sat and begged?"  Some said, "This is he."  Others said, "He is like him."  He said, "I am he."  Therefore they said to him, "How were your eyes opened?"  He answered and said, "A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.'  So I went and washed and I received sight."  Then they said to him, "Where is He?"  He said, "I do not know."   As we have come to observe, John's Gospel gives us the voices of the many varieties of witnesses to the miracles of Christ, and the varied testimonies.  Here the neighbors and others who knew this man was blind speak to one another.  Some answer that he looks like him.   The blind man affirms he is the same.  He testifies to what Jesus has done.  

They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees.  Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.  Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight.  He said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see."  Therefore some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath."  Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?"  And there was a division among them. They said to the blind man again, "What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?"  He said, "He is a prophet."   My study bible comments that just as the Pharisees had previously ignored the healing of the paralytic (at the Feast of Weeks -- see this reading) and focused only on the perceived violation of the Sabbath (John 5:10-16), here many of them cannot see the glory of God through their own prejudices.   Once again, John's Gospel gives us the varied testimonies midst the questioning and debate of the religious leaders, and the division among them.

It's interesting to observe the witnesses and others who hear about Christ's miracles.  It seems to be given as a truth that people will look for their own explanations.  The healed blind man concludes about Jesus that He is a prophet, when the Pharisees quiz him.  The Pharisees declare that Christ is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.  Others ask how a sinner can do such signs.  Some of the neighbors declare the healed man simply looks like the one who was blind.  Everyone must find a way to explain what they are seeing, what they observe.   But with Christ, as the text indicates, there is nothing that is conventional or expected.  This is a first, this healing of a person who's been blind from birth.  Moreover, Jesus turns conventional expectations upside down.  There is no sin to blame for the blindness.  Neither this man, nor his parents sinned in a way to cause his blindness.  So Jesus also dispels this conventional understanding.  Here is His surprising statement, that this man is blind "that the works of God should be revealed in him."  This turns the conventional thinking of the time truly topsy-turvy:  a condition that one would normally mourn exists so that God's work should be revealed.  It is akin to St. Paul's thinking, when he writes, "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).   The way of the Cross seems to be a way in which times of mourning might be turned into joy or celebration, a sense in which even when we feel we have a loss, there is also a sense of gain -- an opportunity for the Lord to work in our lives.  This is what a sense of grace does when we come to realize that God can create opportunities out of what would conventionally be seen as tragedy or occasion for grief or mourning of some kind.  An unhappy childhood may be the impetus for finding a deep relationship with the Lord, and being blessed with that gift of communion that so many seek.  A time of loneliness can be turned into revelation, as we take time for a deeper search for God with prayer and meditation.  Even the enforced quarantine period we've spent with the COVID-19 virus has proven to be an occasion for many for a deeper time of study and reflection.  Lent is conventionally called a time of "bright sadness" in the Eastern Church, as fasting traditions are understood in the light of preparation for Easter, a time of joy and celebration for the time we are ultimately united with the Bridegroom (Matthew 9:14-17).  By fasting we learn a discipline that helps us to serve and focus upon the Lord, and to share in the expressions of Christ's transcendence.  There are countless stories of saints whose occasions for loss or sadness turn into joy through the work of the Lord.  This is simply one aspect of the power and revelation of Christ:  that He brings the unexpected.  Things which were previously assumed and understood now can't cover the mysterious grace that is at work.  Conventional explanations and reasoning no longer suffice for what is given.  God will always be a step beyond our own boundaries and assumptions, and cannot be confined to barriers we impose.   As the story of this healed blind man continues, so will the revelation Christ offers for our faith, and so that all of us may have our eyes opened to what is possible with 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. So He began to teach them many things

 

 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, on their first apostolic mission mission, the twelve cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  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.   This verse continues from Tuesday's reading, in which the twelve have just been sent out on their first apostolic mission. 

And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."  For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.  So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.  My study bible comments here that Christ gives rest to His disciples in order to show those engaged in preaching and teaching that they must not labor continuously, but must also take rest.  It also teaches us, generally speaking, about our individual lives as Christ's followers.  We need periods of activity and also reflection.  Our way is a median way, not merely an ideological or philosophical one, but one that understands our full humanity, and is organic to all that we are:  body, soul, and spirit.

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.  Let us look at Jesus' response to the multitudes.  They clearly are seeking something from Jesus in a deeply heartfelt way, out of real need.  Jesus understands them through His compassion for them, and sees that they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  Let us note Christ's immediate response to their real need.  It is to fill them with spiritual food:  He began to teach them many things.  My study bible pays special attention to the phrase "moved with compassion."  It is used frequently concerning Jesus (Matthew 9:36, 14:14, 20:34; Mark 1:41, Luke 7:13), showing that Christ's power and authority are extended to those who suffer.

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 miracle in the wilderness is reported by all four evangelists.  My study bible comments that it shows Jesus feeding a great multitude of His people just as He (as the Lord) fed the Israelites in the desert (see Exodus 16).  The Patristic fathers see in this an image of the Eucharist, which is especially clear in John 6.  There is also a traditional spiritual interpretation to this miracle, in which the five loaves indicate the five books of the Law or Torah (Genesis through Deuteronomy), which are broken open in Christ, and thereby feed the universe.  The two fish represent the Gospel Book and the Epistle Book, which constitute the teaching of the fishermen.  The gathering up of the leftovers by the apostles (twelve baskets) shows that the teaching which the faithful cannot grasp are nevertheless kept in the consciousness of the Church.

 

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.   Does Jesus stay to be acclaimed as king by the multitudes He has just fed in the wilderness?  No, instead His concern is for His mission and what He needs to do.  The disciples are sent back across the Sea of Galilee, while He Himself departed to the mountain to pray.  Once again, we should all learn and take seriously His example of constant communion with the Father, freed of distractions.

Let us take up Jesus' first task that He appears to fulfill in today's reading, and which He fulfills because He is moved with compassion.  It is noteworthy that this task is not feeding thousands of people in the wilderness.  It is not to listen to whatever complaints they have, and it's not even to physically heal them.  Jesus' first task, the need to which He responds in today's reading, is to address -- out of His compassion on them -- the state of these people being "like sheep not having a shepherd."  It is this dire condition He addresses, and the healing medicine that they need, and which He uses, is to teach them many things.  Their real need -- the true way to address and to fill the needs of these lost sheep -- is for wisdom, and specifically the wisdom and teachings of Christ.  For what these people truly lack is leadership that really cares about them, and which is capable of perceiving the real need they have and fulfilling that need.  People need leadership in the form of good teachings, things by which they can live good lives, truth in which they can trust -- and especially those good things which come from the One who loves them.  Jesus will give it to them straight, and not just pander to whatever it is they might think they want or need.  He truly heals with His leadership.  The last thing Jesus does is play to the crowd, for the very last thing for which He pursues His ministry is popularity.  One gets the feeling that His real joy comes from fulfilling the will of the Father, and hence He engages in His public ministry and His walk toward the Cross and the powerful meaning that will bring as part of the fabric of this world.  But in terms of His personal happiness, that notion of what might give some peace in the moment,  one wonders if the life of the carpenter from Nazareth wasn't far easier.  But Jesus' real mission to us is leadership, and to show us the most exemplary model of what that is.  So here, He both perceives and fulfills the real need of these people who've followed Him into the wilderness, even as He tried to withdraw with the twelve to hear about their first apostolic mission.  Jesus is moved with compassion as He detects that this crowd's need is for a good shepherd (John 10:11-16).  As that good shepherd, the first thing with which He feeds them is to teach them many things.  This is what a geniune good leader does.  He gives direction and guidance, giving the sheep what they need to live good lives.  It is only as the day progresses, and all are there without resources for food, that the occasion arises for the miracle of feeding in the wilderness, mirroring the action of the Lord in the Old Testament.  When this happens, one must think in terms of "fulfillment" in the sense of Christ's saying, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill" (Matthew 5:17).  And it follows in as extention of feeding the multitude by teaching them many things.  It figuratively places the Eucharist, by extension, into the place of filling us with good things, including the fullness of Christ which incorporates His word and teachings, as well as Himself as the Word or Logos.  It's important that we don't lose sight of all of these realities, and especially that to be filled and given the good things we need isn't simply to have our physical needs met.  Our very human needs consist also of that which feeds soul and spirit, and especially our communion with God, for without that our worldly lives are empty in ways we will search to fulfill until we find the true food of the shepherd for the sheep.  He is that food, the living bread of life, the food for everlasting life.

They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat

 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

In yesterday's reading, we read 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."  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 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. Theophylact comments that when Jesus heard it refers not to John's death, but to Herod's comment that Jesus was John raised from the dead (see yesterday's reading, above).  It is one more response to Jesus' ministry, this time of "state" power that feels threatened by Christ.  In the Gospels, we are given several instances in which Jesus withdraws from confrontation with authority (both religious and state) until it is "His hour" for His public entrance into Jerusalem, which will begin what we know as Holy Week (see John 7:6-9).  In yesterday's reading, the account of John's death is a parenthetical inclusion, that gives us an understanding of why Herod fears Christ.

 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  That Jesus is moved with compassion is a frequent occurrence in the Gospels (20:34; Mark 1:41, 6:34; Luke 7:13).  My study bible comments that it shows that Jesus' 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.  Among other things we understand from today's reading, Jesus teaches us that we should not eat without first giving thanks to God.  The language of the text points to the Last Supper (26:26), and so one understanding of this miracle, which comes at a crucial point in Jesus' ministry, is as a eucharistic image.  As the disciples distribute the bread to the multitudes, my study bible says, so also Christ feeds the Eucharist to His flock through the hands of His bishops and presbyters. 

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 mentions a patristic spiritual interpretation of this miracle, which teaches that the five loaves indicate the five books of the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy, also known as the Torah), which 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.  The gathering of the leftovers by the apostles shows that the teachings which the faithful are not able to grasp are nevertheless held in the consciousness of the Church.

In the Gospels, we witness a strange phenomenon in holy power.  As Christ's ministry becomes more circumscribed, as both the actors of state power and religious authority become hostile, and Jesus withdraws, so the power that is at work within Him expands under the circumstances.  Here, this central miracle with its Eucharistic overtones which feeds the multitudes takes place at a time when He has withdrawn after hearing about Herod's suspicion and fear that He is John the Baptist returned.  It is a grand metaphor for the spiritual life that as we in some way seem more diminished in the world, our own spiritual lives may become expanded and enhanced.  This is not only true of those who practice humility, but it is also true of the tradition of monasteries going back to the earliest monks of the desert -- who, in imitation of Christ, withdrew to the "deserted places" in commitment to spiritual struggle.  There, life is given up to constant prayer.  In a paradoxical ways, the limitations of the world may serve to open us up to greater spiritual strength, understanding, and holiness.  Through such work of holy power, Christ's withdrawal in fact feeds a multitude.  There are countless instances throughout the history of the Church in which individual saints have withdrawn from society to be transformed by God, and in one way or another, that transformation feeds the world.  When we are in some way seemingly diminished or limited by life -- particularly by what is "worldly" -- we must always consider the opportunity for spiritual expansion.  A withdrawal to focus on the things of God and of our souls, for prayer or a prayerful life, is a chance to find something precious that doesn't live or is not found through an active social life.  When one way seems cut off, God provides God's way for us to find God and to share God with others, and in so doing, to find ourselves in true spiritual sight and understanding.  In the Eastern tradition of Christianity, there is a focus on hesychia, which means, essentially, stillness.  It is a kind of prayer focus which has at its center an understanding that God is found not only in words, but in silence, stillness, and in that silence, God's peace.  It is a way of emptying in order to be filled, a paradigm imaged in the mercy seat in the Old Testament, and Christ's tomb of the New, filled with God's mysterious presence transforming what we know to give us Resurrection.  In that pool of stillness is the depth of what may be brought into the world and shared; in some sense, the person becoming living prayer.  Let us consider what we suppose are our own limitations, when doors are seemingly shut, pathways closed, people cut off from us, -- when we are in a deserted place -- and that it is there we may find what is much, much greater than what we know.

O you of little faith, why did you doubt?

 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

- Matthew 14:22-36

Yesterday we read that when Jesus heard of Herod's fear that He is John the Baptist returned from the dead, He departed 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 fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."   This is the second time that Christ permits His disciples to be caught in a storm (see 8:23-27).  My study bible explains that the first time, He was with them.  Here He had left the disciples alone.  In this way, their faith is strengthened that He will always be with them in the midst of the storms of life.  A boat became by tradition symbolic of the Church, our faith teaching us to negotiate the storms that come, and each storm teaching us a greater dependence upon God.  We must note that It is I is literally translated "I Am," which is the divine Name of God (see John 8:58).  Christ reminds the fearful disciples, my study bible says, of His absolute and divine authority over their lives.  This miracle confirms Jesus' divinity, as only God has dominion over nature.

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"   My study bible notes that it is Peter's faith that allows him to walk on the water.  We remark that Peter doesn't ask to walk on the water per se, but to come to Jesus.  My study bible suggests that Peter's desire is not to perform miracles but rather to be with the Lord.  As long as he keeps his focus on Christ, he's able to participate in Christ's divine miracle.  But as soon as he's distracted, he begins to sink.

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  In Greek, the word for doubt here means "wavering" or "hesitation."   Peter's cause of sinking wasn't the storm itself, but his doubt.  Therefore Christ doesn't rebuke the wind, but Peter. 

And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."   This is the first time the disciples confess that Jesus is the Son of God.  They know that only God can be worshiped, and so they confess Christ's divinity by worshiping Him.

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.  My study bible says that Christ permits miracles through touch in order to show that His very body is life.  Contact with His flesh is life-creating (see 9:20-22).

What we first notice in today's reading is the story of the faith confession of the disciples, and Peter's experience of seeking to come to Jesus on the water.  Peter derives his very name from his confession of faith later on in Matthew's Gospel.  Jesus will tell him, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (16:18).   (In the Greek, there is a play on words here:  Πέτρος/Petros is the masculine form of πέτρᾳ/petra, which means "rock.")  But here in today's story, with some irony, it is Peter who is rebuked for his little faith, and it is those who were in the boat who came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."   Peter's evolution and transformation as disciple and apostle -- and later on, as "first among equals" of the apostles -- gives us a continual portrait of what faith does in our lives.  He is the example of wavering and yet coming to tremendous faith and courage.  Most notably, he will later deny Christ three times after Jesus is arrested (26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, John 18:16-18,18:25-27).  In the Epistle to the Galatians, Paul takes Peter to task for refusing to eat with Gentile believers, fearing those who've come from Jerusalem and emphasize differences between Jew and Gentile faithful in Christ (Galatians 2:11-13).  Peter becomes our example of "doubt" as the text translates Jesus' word.  In Greek this word literally means to "stand in two places" or to be divided in some sense.  This wavering within a double stance, shifting between positions, is what is implied in the word for doubt.   It creates hesitation, uncertainty in how to choose or what we will put our faith or trust into.  The character and persona of Peter throughout the New Testament Scriptures gives us a picture of this great spokesman and orator for the apostles, capable of tremendous leadership, but also susceptible to doubt and wavering.  He will die a martyr's death of tremendous humility.  He is the humane picture of our own struggle with faith.  No matter what our gains and choices for faith, there is still the new crossroads ahead, a place of temptation to doubt.  If the leader of the apostles can be taken to task by St. Paul, who was not one of the chosen apostles during Jesus' human lifetime, but a persecutor of them, then where do all the rest of us stand?  St. Peter gives us the continual gift of understanding how our faith works, and that there is always room and need for a continual repentance.  We come up against our own temptations to please others before pleasing God, as does St. Peter, our fears in myriad forms, our doubts.  Let us do as he does, and return, and share in Christ's love, even to the end (John 21:15-22).

You give them something to eat

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 the leftover fragments were taken up by them.

- Luke 9:1-17

In yesterday's reading, we read of the double-healing of Jairus' daughter and the woman with the years-long flow of blood. Jesus has time for everything, and healing takes place in so many different ways. See Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.

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 notes here: "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 (v. 2)." In the readings through today, we have seen quite a busy ministry with many facets and aspects to it. Jesus travels everywhere, healing and performing exorcisms and preaching, and we repeatedly get a picture from Luke of very full days of this ministry. Today's reading is no exception. But today, we see the overflowing abundance of the ministry: it is now necessary to send out disciples or apostles (which literally means those who are sent) to spread this kingdom, and through whom those blessings of this ministry will also flow.

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. We see that Jesus has taught them, essentially, to remain humble, to rely on the ministry itself to guide their way. The caution about staying and departing from the same house is one of teaching gracious humility: they are not to depart from one humble place to which they have been admitted for better quarters elsewhere, but to stay with those whose hearts first opened to them. Where they have no welcome, they are to shake off the dust from their feet "as a testimony against them," and to simply move on. We have already seen, in Luke's Gospel, communities who have rejected Jesus' healing ministry (see Tell what great things God has done for you).

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. A note reads: "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 (v. 9), and the one in Jerusalem at Jesus' trial, to whom Pilate sent Jesus." Jesus' ministry and fame is spreading, so that the official rulers now have become aware of Him and curious about Him. We know that after Jesus' execution, Pilate and Herod will become fast friends.

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. A note here reads: "The disciples are called apostles (meaning "those officially sent on a mission"), their proper title after Jesus' Resurrection." A quiet spot on a day of return - Jesus takes them aside privately, we assume, to hear the results of their first mission. Now they are officially "apostles" - those who have been sent - as my study bible notes. But the multitudes intervene. Luke continues to give us a picture of the full days of ministry, including Jesus' attempts to find private spots for the personal ministry that is also necessary.

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 the leftover fragments were taken up by them. My study bible notes here: "All are satisfied when Jesus feeds them. No one need go away hungry. This feeding of he 5,000 is a messianic sign." This tremendous feast and great miracle is but the culmination of a busy day! The apostles have already gone out on their tremendous first mission, relying only on the strength of the ministry for provisions and survival - and have returned successfully. Not only does this multitude appear as Jesus seeks to have a private time with them upon their return, but Jesus takes the apostles even further in ministry. "Send them away," the apostles say, "so that they can find food and a place to rest." But in the middle of this deserted country, Jesus says, "You give them something to eat." Despite what they have already done, the apostles are challenged to something even greater. Jesus takes them further - an abundant and blessed ministry becomes the very feast of abundance in this miracle of the loaves and the fishes, even in this deserted place.

As has been pointed out in other readings concerning this miracle of feeding, it is clearly a picture of the Eucharist. Jesus blesses and breaks the bread, looking to heaven, and the disciples distribute. I find the words of St. John Chrysostom's liturgy at the giving of Communion very beautiful: "The Lamb of God is broken and distributed; broken but not divided, forever eaten yet never consumed, and sanctifying those who partake." In yesterday's reading, we read of Jesus' garment and its powerful healing effect on the woman who touched it. Christ "sanctifies" and gives abundantly. As He has said, He is here to give us "life abundantly." There is no clearer picture of abundance for us than this episode, this picture of feeding. The apostles have returned with glorious news, they have done all they could, yet they are pushed to go further. With the power of God, there is yet more abundance. This is the picture that we are given today in this Gospel, that of a ministry of extraordinary - and miraculous - abundance. What blessings we have are but the start, there is more, there is always more, and beyond. God supersedes and surpasses our expectations, our understanding, and there is always more for us beyond what we know. Jesus promises us that He is here so that we may have life, abundantly. Whatever He has touched, and those whom He has sent, distribute that life. Count your blessings and be grateful, and be prepared to be surprised. There is always more to come, through Him. He takes what we have, wherever we are, and multiplies, through faith.