Breaking the Word – Page 2231 – Rev. Dr. Victor Antonyraj SDB

31.07.11 FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND

Posted under Reflections on July 30th, 2011 by

When Jesus heard of it, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, "This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves." (Jesus) said to them, "There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves." But they said to him, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have here." Then he said, "Bring them here to me," and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over — twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children. (Mt 14: 13-21)

The gospel writer was talking about the death of John the Baptist (Mt 14:1-12). When Jesus heard about this, Jesus moved away from the people to be alone by himself. He usually moved to the deserted place to be alone or to pray etc. In this case probably he moved to the deserted place to reflect about the event and its implications and also to discern the will of God in this event.

The crowd also followed him. They wanted to be with him to console him (!) or they followed him because there is no more the Baptizer. But Jesus realized their need. They wanted someone to lead them, to assist them, to preach to them. Jesus also recognized their need for food. Jesus was able to read the mind of the people. He knew their need and want without their asking for it.

Jesus asked his disciples to offer them help. In the kingdom of God which Jesus came to establish, Jesus and his disciples are there to assist the people to help them in their time of need. The little they had (five loaves and two fish) were the basis on which Jesus worked the miracle of feed the five thousand. The disciples were asked to bring out the little they had. The little becomes the source of miracle when accompanied by prayer of blessing.

30.07.11 HEROD

Posted under Reflections on July 30th, 2011 by

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, "This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him." Now Herod had arrested John, bound (him), and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus. (Mt 14:1-12)

Conscience pricks the king. The wrong he has done in the past never left him. It was not any wrong as we might say. Wrong done to a person and that too taking away the life of a person. God only has right over the life of people. Life is a gift of God, a free gift of God and only he could take it away. Man has no right over it. Here Herod had played the role of God. This is the sin that pricks him.

Otherwise he seems to be good man. He is good at least in certain things. He wants uphold his promise. He had made a promise, though foolish, yet he could not or he did not want to step away from it. Keeping the promise one makes is a good thing. The daughter of Herodias also wants to obey her mother.

Keeping the promise; obeying the parents are good things in themselves. They are wrong here in this context because they affect the other person. Whatever good one may do or the right and just thing one may do if it destroys the other then it is of no value. For the person is the only value and one can give up even the right thing like the Sabbath rules for the sake of the man.