4th Trinity III 2022, Tree of Life

 4th Trinity III

Luke 9:1-17 

He called the twelve together and gave them potent authority and formative power to 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, nor 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 has 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 needed it. 

Woloschina

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." However, he 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. 

4^th August Trinity

August 14, 2022

Luke 9:1–17 

Here in this gospel, the spirit, the life of God, begins to live and breathe within the human community. First, an in-breath — “He called the twelve together and gave them potent authority and formative power.” He breathes into the community of the twelve his powers of life, the power to order and to heal. 

And then he breathes the twelve themselves out into the world to bring his powers of life to others. He warns them first not to crowd out his spirit with stuff, to satisfy a need for sticks, bags, bread, and money. And so, free and unencumbered, they go forth, breathing out his healing and joyful spirit into the world.               

Then they return for another round of inbreathing, of inspiration. And Christ gathers them together again to deepen the working of his spirit into their community. Now they are not only able to order and heal. Now they are to join themselves together with his power to nourish, feed and sustain. “From now on,” he says, it falls to you to give them to eat.” 

For a moment, they are confused—food is surely something tangible, countable. And what they have isn’t enough. 

artist unknown

But he shows them that true nourishment and sustenance come from both a higher and yet a deeper level. They come from a level where living forces multiply themselves before they divide. 

Christ demonstrates the laws of how

this mysterious process works. He breathes out his own spirit up to the Father of all Life in a great outpouring of gratitude. In so doing, he makes his own spirit into the trunk of the great Tree of Life itself. His gratitude brings nourishment to this tree, a tree that is ever fruitful, ever-bearing. The fruits of this tree nourish by bestowing life itself in abundance. The community, united in thanks with Christ, is allowed to harvest and eat of the fruits of the tree of life. 

Together they give thanks. And together they eat and are satisfied. For with Christ, they had breathed themselves into the realm of multiplication — the realm where there is more than enough. Enough for all time, and for everywhere.

 

 

4th Trinity III 2021, Star Bread

4th Trinity III

Luke 9:1-17 

He called the twelve together and gave them potent authority and formative power to 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. 

Tissot

And he said to them, "Take nothing with you on the way: no staff for support, no bag for collecting, neither bread nor money, nor 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 has 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 needed 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." However, he 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. 

4^th August Trinity

August 15, 2021

Luke 9:1-17 

When we go to sleep at night, our souls and spirits rise out of the body. We rise in sleep to the world of the stars. We commune with the angels. They feed us 'star bread' and 'star wine.' They nourish our souls and spirits so that we return to earth strengthened and refreshed. 

Even on earth during the day, when we are very hungry, we can feel how, with a good meal, body and soul come together again, realigning themselves. This happens not because of the food's material content but because of the life force it offers us. 

Woloschina

In today's reading, the crowds stay with Christ to hear the good news, the message from the realm of the angels. And as the day dims into night, the first stars appear, and Christ feeds them from the heavenly realm of the stars. For Christ's thanks and blessing bring down to earth the life force that streams in from the stars. With the food, the people take in 'star bread,' offered to them by the angels, distributed by Christ's disciples on earth. 

In the Act of Consecration of Man, with Christ's help, we too raise ordinary bread to receive the life of the universe. Though but little in material terms, we are fed in abundance. Our hearts, our souls, our spirits drink deep at the wellspring of life, and our spirits are satisfied.

 

 

4th Trinity III 2020, Territories of the Spirit

4th Trinity III

Luke 9:1-17 

He called the twelve together and gave them potent authority and formative

Tissot, Christ Sending

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 has 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 needed it. 

Woloschina

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.

4^th  Trinity III

August 16, 2020

Luke 9:1-17

Events on earth can be described with certain facts and a particular narrative. But behind what can be seen and heard there stand beings who give vitality and direction to these events. 

Today’s reading describes two events: sending the twelve disciples to work together in the world, proclaiming the good news and healing. They are acting as Christ’s messengers. The second event involves a mysterious feeding of a great number of people. 

But behind the earthly narrative stand

Sombart, Feeding 5,000

mighty beings working in concert. One is John the Baptist, Elijah, whose name is interposed between the two events like a rumor. The other is, of course, Christ, who backgrounds Himself so that the disciples can step forward and work as mediators of His spirit. John works like a guardian angel for the circle of the disciples, helping gather and direct the flow of the Christ-stream into their working. 

And so it is even today: John with his great prophetic spirit works in tandem with Christ, behind the scenes, supporting those who are students of Christ. They both work invisibly, like angels, behind the narrative of world events. They support those who work, like the disciples, to proclaim the ever-resounding good news, those who work to heal the world’s ills, those who seek to nourish bodies, souls, and spirits. To become aware of their working is to increase our collaboration with them. So in the words of John O’Donohue: 

A journey can become a sacred thing:

Make sure, before you go,

To take the time

To bless your going forth,

Iris Sullivan

To free your heart of ballast

So that the compass of your soul

Might direct you toward

The territories of spirit

Where you will discover

More of your hidden life,

And the urgencies

That deserve to claim you.

 

May you travel in an awakened way,

Gathered wisely into your inner ground;

That you may not waste the invitations

Which wait along the way to transform you.*

 

www.thechrisitancommunity.org

*John O’Donohue, “For the Traveler”, in To Bless the Space Between Us, p. 53

3rd August Trinity 2019, Enough for All

August Trinity 

Luke 9: 1-17

Duccio DiBuoninsegnaca

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 has 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 [beth-say’uh-duh] 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.

Boy with Fish, Woloschina

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.

3^rd August Trinity

August 11, 2019

Luke 9: 1-17

Jan Luyken

Here in the gospel, the spirit, the life of God begins to live and breathe within the human community. First, an in-breath - “He called the twelve together and gave them potent authority and formative power.” He breathes into their community His powers of life, the power to order and to heal.

And then He breathes the twelve themselves out into the world, to bring his powers of life to others. He warns them first not to crowd out His spirit with satisfying a desire for stuff, for sticks, bags, bread, money. And so, free and unencumbered, they go forth, breathing out his healing and joyful spirit into the world.

Then they return for another round of inbreathing, of inspiration. And Christ gathers them together again, to deepen the working of his spirit into their community. Now they are not only able to order and to heal. Now they are to join themselves together with his power to nourish, to feed and sustain. “From now on,” He says, “it falls to you to give them to eat.”

For a moment, they are confused - food is surely something tangible, countable. And what they have isn’t enough.

But He shows them that true nourishment, true sustenance, comes from both a higher and yet a deeper level, from a level where living forces multiply themselves before they divide, from a place of love.

Woloschina

Christ demonstrates the laws of how this mysterious process works. He breathes out his own spirit up to the Father of all Life in a great outpouring of gratitude. In so doing, He makes his own spirit of love into the great Tree of Life itself. His gratitude ripens fruit on this tree, ever fruitful, ever-bearing. The community, united in thanks with Christ, is allowed to harvest and eat of the fruits of the Tree of Life itself.

The fruits of this tree nourish by bestowing living forces in abundance. Together the community gave thanks. And together they ate. Together they were satisfied. For with Christ, they had breathed themselves into the realm of multiplication. The realm where there is more than enough. Enough for all time, for everywhere.

4th August Trinity 2018, Accept the Miracle

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.

4^th August Trinity

August 12, 2018

Luke 9:1-17

Here in the north, we are experiencing the long-lit days of summer.  Long daylight hours and our urban night-lit skies veil our experience of the stars. This is unfortunate, since there is nothing quite so majestic, more awe-inspiring, than the fullness of the night sky. The stars, with their calm radiance, send us the message that we are surrounded by hope. They are pouring their manifold influences into our lives.

It is meaningful that today’s gospel reading begins with the twelve apostles and ends with the twelve full baskets. For Christ works with His Father’s light, His abundance of radiant life and love. They pour out of the heavens to us through the twelve doorways of the stars. During the day, Christ directs these powers into the apostles, as He sends them out with a message of joy. And at night, as the day declines, He pours them into the five loaves and two fish. He blesses them, strengthens them with words of gratitude and of love. The people receive His loving, healing strength. There is more than enough to go around. Their abundance fills twelve baskets full.

Mary Oliver comments on this passage.

Why wonder about the loaves and the fishes?
If you say the right words, the wine expands.
If you say them with love
and the felt ferocity of that love
and the felt necessity of that love,
the fish explode into the many.
Imagine him, speaking,
and don't worry about what is reality,
or what is plain, or what is mysterious.
If you were there, it was all those things.
…. Eat, drink,….
Accept the miracle.
Accept, too, each spoken word
spoken with love.*

*Mary Oliver, “Logos” in Why I Wake Early

4th August Trinity 2016, Kingdom of Angels (Redux)

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.

Kenneth Dowdy

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. 

4th Trinity August

August 14, 2016

Luke 9: 1-17

We are approaching the middle of a ten-week path toward Michaelmas. This fourth reading in the series is itself a kind of path.

First Christ gives his disciples the power to heal and to announce a new kingdom from the angels. This new kingdom is arising in human hearts. And then he tells them to shed what is unnecessary, to separate themselves from certain external supports – no bag, no bread, no money. They go out, and when they return, they report back to him joyfully. And at the end of the day, He feeds them all from the spiritual nourishment of the stars.

We can see this as a pattern for our days. We can begin the day by receiving a measure

M. Woloschina

of inner strength and the power of love from Christ. We can remind ourselves not to become too dependent upon outer supports. We can demonstrate the new kingdom in human hearts by the quality of our interactions with others. And at the end of the day we can report back to Him, and in sleep receive our nourishment from the cosmos of the stars.

Doing this day by day builds something. With Christ’s help, we are creating the kingdom of the heavens within. And working actively, day by day, from within, we are also helping create a new kingdom of the angels on earth. 

4th August Trinity 2007, Offer in Gratitude

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. 

4^th August Trinity

Woloschina

August 12, 2007

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.

www.thechristiancommunity.org 

4th August Trinity 2008, Holy Spirit Manifest

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.

Boy with Loaves and Fish, Woloschina

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. 

4^th August Trinity

August 17, 2008

Luke 9: 1-17

  

For one’s birthday one might invite friends to celebrate. They of course will bring gifts; but traditionally the birthday person also offers gifts: food and drink, and also the small gifts in return we call party favors. One both receives, and one gives. In some cultures, there is a celebration in which the birthday person, instead of receiving gifts, bestows lavish gifts on all the participants. In yet other cultures, one may have a celebration in which one gives away all of one’s possessions.

We are at the time of the year when we have received the call to a

Egbert Codex

celebration of new life. We have recognized that Jesus is the Christ, the Risen One. In Him we receive new life. And this new life is not just something we receive. The overflowing joy of a new life (and is not every new day the gift of a new life?) is something we want to share. In the gospel reading, this sharing manifests as the capacity for enthusiasm and healing. One receives and one gives. And when one receives more, one is also empowered to give more.

In today’s gospel reading, Christ says to His disciples, “From now on, it falls to you. You give the people to eat…And raising His soul to the spirit, He gave thanks, broke them [the loaves] and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people.” Luke 9:13, 16

Our love for God, our enthusiasm, our capacity to help heal the world’s ills, is meant to flow through us and out into the world. The bread of God’s love feeds the world; the blood of God’s love is meant to circulate.

Mechthild of Magdeburg said,

To the extent that we flow outward with the full

abundance of our hearts, and give our complete substance

to the poor, and spend our lives in service to the sick, we

are the Holy Spirit who is made manifest

as the abundant outpouring of the Father and the Son.[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

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[1] Mechthild of Magdeburg (1260 – 1294?) “How We Become Like God”, in Love’s Immensity, by Scott Cairns, p. 95.

4th August Trinity 2009, Gathered Wisely

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. 

4^th August Trinity

August 16, 2009

Luke 9:1-17

Events on earth can be described with certain facts and a particular narrative. But behind what can be seen and heard stand beings who give vitality and direction to these events.

Today’s reading describes two events: sending the twelve disciples to work together in the world, proclaiming the good news and healing. They are acting as Christ’s messengers. The second event involves a mysterious feeding of a great number of people.

But behind the earthly narrative stand mighty beings working in concert. One is John the Baptist, Elijah, whose name is interposed between the two events like a rumor. The other is of course Christ, who backgrounds Himself so that the disciples can step forward and work as mediators of His spirit. John works like a guardian angel for the circle of the disciples, helping gather and direct the flow of the Christ-stream into their working.

And so it is even today: John with his great prophetic spirit works in tandem with Christ, behind the scenes, supporting those who are students of Christ. They both work invisibly, like angels, behind the narrative of world events. They support those who work, like the disciples, to proclaim the ever-resounding good news, those who work to heal the world’s ills, those who seek to nourish bodies, souls and spirits. To become aware of their working is to increase our collaboration with them. So in the words of John O’Donohue:

A journey can become a sacred thing:

Make sure, before you go,

To take the time

To bless your going forth,

To free your heart of ballast

So that the compass of your soul

Might direct you toward

The territories of spirit

Where you will discover

More of your hidden life,

And the urgencies

That deserve to claim you.

May you travel in an awakened way,

Gathered wisely into your inner ground;

That you may not waste the invitations

Which wait along the way to transform you.[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

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[1] John O’Donohue, “For the Traveler”, in To Bless the Space Between Us, p. 53