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

---

[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

---

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

4th August Trinity 2010, Angel of Healing

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 15, 2010

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.

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]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

---

[1] John O'Donohue, “A Blessing of Angels” in To Bless the Space Between Us

4th August Trinity 2011, Fed in Abundance

4th Trinity August

Jan Luyken

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. 

Margarete Woloschina

4^th August Trinity

August 14, 2011

Luke 9:1-17

When we go to sleep at night, our souls and spirits travel to the stars. We rise in sleep to the world of the stars. We commune with the angels. They feed us ‘star bread’ and ‘star wine’, nourishment for our 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.

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 approaches night, the first stars appear, and Christ feeds them from the realm of the stars. For Christ’s thanks and blessing brings down 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 the 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.

www.thechristiancommunity.org

4th August Trinity 2012, 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 [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.

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, 2012

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.

Book of Hours, Duke Berry

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 [are] there, it was [is] all those things.
…. Eat, drink,….
Accept the miracle.
Accept, too, each spoken word
spoken with love.[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

---

[1] - Mary Oliver, “Logos” in Why I Wake Early

4th August Trinity 2014, Written in Heaven

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 17, 2014

Luke 9: 1-17

Science has clearly demonstrated a link between the quality of our thinking and our general health. Negative thoughts, constant worrying and anxieties elevate the stress levels in our blood. They break down our immune system and erode our wellbeing. Such negative, destructive thought patterns are the working of demonic, hindering forces in us.

The gospel reading says that Christ gives his followers, his students ‘potent authority and formative power ‘ over these demonic , ill-making mischief makers. This protection against the demonic is Christ himself working in us, along with his angelic hosts. For we all carry him within us. The potent authority he gives us is our ability to notice and recognize those negative thoughts, those demonic workings within us, when they arise. Just noticing them, naming them, weakens their hold, diminishes their strength. Christ’s formative power in us is our ability to say no to negative thoughts and worries, and to replace them with thoughts that are true, good and beautiful.

All that the demonic forces can do is to try to destroy.  When we do the work of recognizing our habitual false, evil, and ugly thoughts, when we work to replace them with thoughts inspired by Christ’s angels, we can hope for the grace of Christ’s blessing strength. We will partake of his nourishing of our souls and spirits. For the good, the true and the beautiful have creative power. They generate, they create more of themselves, deeper goodness, broader truth, higher beauty. And so, as John O’Donohue says:

May the beauty of your life become more visible to you, that you may glimpse your wild divinity.

May the wonders of the earth call you forth from all your small, secret prisons and set your feet free in the pastures of possibilities.

….

May you allow no dark hand to quench the candle of hope in your heart.

…

May the outside voices of fear and despair find no echo in you.

…

May the shelter and nourishment of all the good you have done, the love you have shown, the suffering you have carried, awaken around you to bless your life a thousand times.

And may you know that despite confusion, anxiety and emptiness, your name is written in Heaven.[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

---

[1] John O’Donohue, “A Blessing for Beauty”, in Beauty – The Invisible Embrace

  

4th August Trinity 2013, Nourishment

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. 

4^th August Trinity

August 18, 2013

Luke 9: 1-17

The grapevine is a transformer. It draws up the waters of the earth. With the power of the sunlight, it transforms those waters into rich sweet juice. The vine’s powers of transformation continue as the juice ferments into fine wine.

Christ in the midst of His disciples worked like the vine. He drew up their native powers from the depths of their being. With His presence they were transformed into teachers and healers.  In His presence they became those who passed His strengthening forces on to others.

Christ continues to work in this way. His presence draws up our native powers from the depths. His light in our daylight transforms us into healers. Because of Him we can strengthen others.

In The Act of Consecration of Man we receive the nourishment of His bread, the ferment of His wine. We do so in order that we can continue to transform the earth in His light. We take communion so that we can continue His work of healing, so that we can work with His strength into the future of the earth.

 www.thechristiancommunity.org