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.”
They left and walked through the villages of the
country, announcing the joyful message of the new working of the kingdom of the
angels and healing everywhere.
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.
Then he took the five loaves and the two fish and,
raising his soul to the spirit, gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his
disciples to distribute to the people. And they ate, and all were satisfied.
And they took up the pieces that remained: twelve baskets full.
August 12, 2007
4th August Trinity
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| Woloschina |
Luke 9: 1-17
Living things breathe in and out.
Even plants have a pattern of respiration of taking in, and offering out. Our independent
life begins with the taking of the first breath.
Here today we begin to see the pattern
of a life lived with Christ: We hear His words. We go out into life to work
among others; working in a healing way, strengthening, supporting. We can
enlighten those who are open to hearing the good news from the realm of the
angels. Then we return again to Christ for special instruction. And when others
come to experience Him directly, we welcome them as He does, to a special meal
offered in thanks, to receive, in return, strength from the stars.
The Act of Consecration of Man is
patterned after this gospel story. In the beginning we hear the initial
seasonal prayer – a kind of epistle or letter from the realm of the
angels. We hear Christ’s own words in
the gospel. In hearing, we fill ourselves with His cleansing healing spirit.
Aware of our infirmities, we offer, through Him, the best of our own spirits.
We offer ourselves in gratitude. Broken though we may be, we receive in return
bread and wine, strength from the stars.
Our life in Christ begins to breathe. And we are strengthened for our
life, for His life, out in the world.
