The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to meditate on the times in our journey when there has been a lack of understanding in our relationship to others and how the hunger of waiting for restoration has been mitigated by faith.
Reflection on Waiting with Faith
The reading from the First Letter of Kings describes Jeroboam’s cultic innovations.
* [12:26–31] At the center of the story of Jeroboam the narrator describes how the king went beyond the political separation of Israel from Judah to create a separatist religious system as well. Jeroboam feared that continued worship in the single Temple in Jerusalem would threaten the political independence of his kingdom. To prevent this he established sanctuaries with non-levitical clergy in his own territory. At two of the sanctuaries he set up golden calves, which the narrator depicts as idols. Thus begins what will later be called “the sin of Jeroboam” (13:34), a theme that will be echoed throughout 1–2 Kings in the condemnations of almost every king of the Northern Kingdom. Historically, Jeroboam’s innovations were not as heterodox as our narrative portrays them. Bethel was an ancient and traditional site for worship of the Lord; and the calves were probably intended to be a dais for the deity invisibly enthroned upon them, rather like the cherubim atop the ark of the covenant.1
Psalm 106 is a confession of Israel’s Sins.
* [Psalm 106] Israel is invited to praise the God whose mercy has always tempered judgment of Israel (Ps 106:1–3). The speaker, on behalf of all, seeks solidarity with the people, who can always count on God’s fidelity despite their sin (Ps 106:4–5). Confident of God’s mercy, the speaker invites national repentance (Ps 106:6) by reciting from Israel’s history eight instances of sin, judgment, and forgiveness.2
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus feeds the four thousand.
* [8:1–10] The two accounts of the multiplication of loaves and fishes (Mk 8:1–10; 6:31–44) have eucharistic significance. Their similarity of structure and themes but dissimilarity of detail are considered by many to refer to a single event that, however, developed in two distinct traditions, one Jewish Christian and the other Gentile Christian, since Jesus in Mark’s presentation (Mk 7:24–37) has extended his saving mission to the Gentiles.3
Carol Zuegner comments that the loaves and the fishes give us that reminder of Jesus as God and human. By finding food and making sure there was more than enough for everyone, Jesus also showed us the importance of community, of taking care of others in any way we can.
So often, I am way too human. I’m not paying attention to the word of God or spending time on prayer and reflection. During those times, I realize I feel empty, an emptiness that no amount of food and drink will fill up. God is there. I just have to remember that presence again and again. And one way to do that is to remember to find God in all things as St. Ignatius tell us. Let me pay attention to those around me. Maybe they are hungry for a kind word, a noticing of their humanness. Maybe they are hungry for someone to listen. Let me notice and listen as Jesus did. Let me remember what it is like to be hungry for sustenance physically, emotionally and spiritually. Let me find God and humanity in those around me.4
Don Schwager quotes “Breaking the bread of God's Word,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"In expounding to you the Holy Scriptures, I as it were break bread for you. If you hunger to receive it, your heart will sing out with the fullness of praise (Psalm 138:1). If you are thus made rich in your banquet, be not meager in good works and deeds. What I am distributing to you is not my own. What you eat, I eat; what you live upon, I live upon. We have in heaven a common store-house - from it comes the Word of God." (excerpt from SERMONS ON NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS 45.1)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 8:1-10 comments that we will always have to battle that “if only” way of thinking. We will always want to do more than we are capable of doing. It’s just human nature. But that shouldn’t stop us from doing something. Determination to use whatever we have and the faith that God will bless our efforts—those are the weapons we can use whenever we face our own “if only” doubts.
Even giving just a little time or effort is better than doing nothing! You may not have time to go visit someone, but you can always write them an email or a quick text message. Perhaps you can’t volunteer in person, but you can always call to see if there’s anything else you can do to help. Maybe you don’t have time to prepare a meal for someone, but you can always drop off some extra groceries. Remember today’s story of the loaves and the fish whenever you are facing an “if only” situation. If you give what little you have, Jesus will find a way to multiply it beyond your expectations! “Jesus, help me find ways to do what I can with what I have.”6
Friar Jude Winkler explains the efforts of Jeroboam to draw the people to pray in their own land that unfortunately became connected to Baal. The perfect number seven characterizes the feeding of Jesus' Gentile audience. Friar Jude reminds us that two accounts of feeding the multitudes in Matthew and Mark provide for all people, Jew and Gentile.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis believes that truthful storytelling can help us create the diverse and united community that God dreams for us. Today we share her prompts that invite us to reflect on the times we “othered” or were “othered” by people different from us.
Recall the first time you were “othered” or rejected for being you. What happened?
What did your family of origin teach you about race/ethnicity?
What did your family of origin teach you about gender and sexuality?
How has your understanding of racial/ethnic identity changed over time? How has it remained the same?
How has your understanding of sexuality and gender changed over time? How has it remained the same?
Talk about “class” in your story. Where have you been “othered” or othered another because of class differences?
When did you first other another for their race, ethnicity, gender, or sexuality?
Is there something that needs to be confessed, forgiven, or changed around race, ethnicity, or class in your life?
Is there something that needs to be confessed, forgiven, or changed around gender and sexuality in your life?7
When the Spirit guides our reflection on our experience of hunger for understanding, we are grateful for the nourishment that comes from our relationship with Jesus.
References
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