4th Trinity August
Luke 9: 1-17
He called the twelve together and gave to them
potent authority and formative power, so that they could work against all
demonic mischief, and heal all sickness.
And he sent them out to heal and to proclaim the Kingdom of God,
appearing now on earth, the kingdom of human beings filled with God’s spirit.
And he said to them, “Take nothing with you on the way: no staff for support, no bag for collecting, neither bread nor money, no change of clothes. If you enter a house, remain there until you go further. And where they do not accept you, leave their city and shake the dust from your feet as a sign that they have refused community with you.”
And he said to them, “Take nothing with you on the way: no staff for support, no bag for collecting, neither bread nor money, no change of clothes. If you enter a house, remain there until you go further. And where they do not accept you, leave their city and shake the dust from your feet as a sign that they have refused community with you.”
Meanwhile Herod the Tetrarch heard of all that was
happening and he was very perplexed, for some said, “John is risen from the
dead,” and others said that Elijah had appeared, and yet others, “One of the
Prophets of old has risen again.” And Herod said, “John I have had beheaded;
who now is this, about whom I hear all these things?” And he wished to see him
himself.
And the apostles returned and reported to Jesus
everything that they had accomplished. So he gathered them to himself and
retreated with them to a city called Bethsaida for special
instruction. But the people became aware of it and followed him. He welcomed
them and spoke to them of the Kingdom of God of the future, of the human
kingdom on earth filled with the divine spirit, and he healed all who had need
of it.
But the day began to decline. The twelve came up to
him and said, “Send the crowd away so that they can reach the villages and
farms in the vicinity and find food and lodging, for here we are in a deserted
place.” He however said to them, “From now on it falls to you; you give them to
eat.”
They answered, “We have nothing but five loaves and
two fish. Or shall we go and buy food for all of them?“ There were about five
thousand people.
Then he said to the disciples, “Have them sit down
in groups of fifty”. And they did so, and all reclined.
4th August Trinity
Luke 9: 1 -17
We have all experienced how a simple meal becomes a feast in
the company of friends. In such a setting, our souls are nourished, as well as
our bodies. If it was also the occasion of the announcement of a joyous coming
event, our spirits would rise as well.
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| Archangel Raphael, Healer. Margarete Woloschina |
In the Gospel reading, both Christ and those He sends out
are announcing a joyous coming event: it is the establishment of a new realm,
one populated by human beings filled with divine spirit. Human hearts will be
reconnected to the realm of the angels, from whence they have come. And, like
the angel who stirred the waters at Bethesda ,
human hearts, out of their angelic connection, will be healed of what ails them.
And they will heal other hearts.
This good news from the realm of the angels nourishes the spirits
of those who hear it. It raises their hearts in hope and anticipation. They
gather together around Christ and his disciples for further food for their
souls. And then, as day declines, Christ asks His disciples to provide a meal.
At first the disciples are helpless; but Christ adds such
vital, living force to their meager supply that people are satisfied with very
little. For He first satisfies their spiritual hunger.
In the Act of Consecration of Man, the communion service, we
re-enact something of this event. We hear the good news from the realm of the
angels. We elevate our souls and spirits to receive the vital living force of
Christ. And our hearts overflow with solemn joy.
So in the words of John O’Donohue,
May the Angel of Awakening stir
your heart
To come alive to the eternal within
you,
To all the invitations that quietly
surround you.
May the Angel of Healing turn your
wounds
Into sources of refreshment.[1]
