The Second Multiplication Of The Loaves

"Soon afterward, JESUS was in the midst of another large crowd, that obviously had nothing to eat. So HE called HIS disciples and said to them, 'I feel sorry for these people, because they have been with ME for three days and now have nothing to eat.  If I send them to their homes hungry, they will faint on the way; some of them have come a long way.'

HIS disciples replied. 'Where, in a deserted place like this, could we get enough bread to feed these people?'  HE asked them, 'How many loaves have you?'  And they answered, 'Seven.'

Then HE ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.  Taking the seven loaves and giving thanks, HE broke them, and handed them to HIS disciples to distribute.  And they distributed them among the people.  They also had some small fish.  So JESUS said a blessing, and asked that these be shared as well.

The people ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full.  Now those who had eaten were about four thousand in number.  JESUS sent them away, and immediately got into the boat with HIS disciples, and went to the region of Dalmanutha." - Mark 8:1-10 

(This second account of the multiplication of the loaves is not a repetition of the first account.  It is obvious that oral transmission of these two events leads to shape them according to the same pattern, but they have different meaning.

The first time, between Tiberias and Capernaum [that is right at the center of JESUS' work in Galilee] the people, more numerous and more urgent, approach JESUS to make HIM their liberator [John 6].  JESUS refuses, but later that afternoon HE multiplies the loaves--a clear sign that HE is the Messiah foretold by the prophets.  The next day JESUS, in HIS turn, demands that they take HIM for what HE is, and this produces the rejection [John 6:60].

Later JESUS journeys to the boundaries of Galilee, where most of the population are pagans.  They also want to hear JESUS.  There, on the other side of the shore, the eastern part, JESUS offers them bread as a farewell meal after they followed HIM for two days through the desert land.

The two accounts of the multiplication of loaves differ in several points like the number of loaves and the number of participants.  The baskets for example, mentioned in Mark 6:43 refer to the stiff osier basket of the Jews, and in 8:8 to the wicker basket or the Greek's folding bag.

The number 12 records the twelve tribes of Israel and the Twelve apostles, while the number 7 records the "seven pagan nations" which occupied Canaan and the seven deacons of the early Church. 

These differences underline the will of Mark to take into account the real situation of the Church at the time he wrote: having been born in Jewish milieu, it was developing among Greek nations.  This is why, for the first multiplication the evangelists say, "JESUS pronounced a blessing", and in the second, "JESUS gave thanks".  Because the first was the word used for Eucharist  among Jewish Christian communities, and the latter was used in Greek speaking churches.  This duality is stressed in Matthew 16:5 and still more in Mark 8:9.

The miracle of the multiplication of the loaves [or the two multiplications of loaves] holds on important place in the synoptic Gospels because it points out JESUS as the Messiah.)

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Healing A Deaf And Dumb Man

"Again, JESUS set out: from the country of Tyre, HE passed through Sidon and, skirting the sea of Galilee, HE came to the territory of Decapolis.  There, a deaf man, who also had difficulty in speaking, was brought to HIM.  They asked JESUS to lay HIS hand upon him. 

JESUS took him apart from the crowd, put HIS fingers into the man's ears, and touched his tongue with spittle.  Then, looking up to heaven, HE said with a deep sigh, 'Ephphata!' that is, 'Be opened!'

And immediately, his ears were opened, his tongue was loosened, and he began to speak clearly.  JESUS ordered them not to tell anyone about it; but the more HE insisted, the more they proclaimed it.  The people were completely astonished and said, 'HE has done all things well; HE makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.'" - Mark 7:31-37 

(They asked JESUS to lay HIS hand upon him.  This was a way of invoking divine power, but JESUS did not have to ask.  By HIS gesture HE showed that HE had within HIMSELF, within HIS human person, all the health and welfare that we need, and HE communicated this to the sick one.

JESUS groaned.  Why?  Because the man before HIM is an impressive symbol of those who have eyes and ears but neither see nor hear.  The people bring HIM the deaf-mute, and ask HIM to heal him, but they themselves remain deaf.

JESUS ordered them not to tell anyone.  How far JESUS is from the organizers of a "Miracle Crusade"!  An unexpected miracle may help us discover the loving presence of GOD, but as soon as we begin to wait for them, we turn away from the Gospel.  The Devil knows this and so tempted JESUS in the desert [Matthew 4:6]: See the warnings of Deuteronomy to people anxious to see miracles [Deuteronomy 13].  Faith leans on the word of GOD, not on miracles [John 4:48].)

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The Faith Of The Syrophoenician

"When JESUS left that place, HE went to the border of the Tyrian country.  There, HE entered a house, and did not want anyone to know HE was there; but HE could not remain hidden.  A woman, whose small daughter had an evil spirit, heard of HIM, and came and fell at HIS feet.  Now this woman was a pagan, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged HIM to drive the demon out of her daughter.

JESUS told her, 'Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the puppies.'  But she replied, 'Sir, even the puppies under the table eat the crumbs from the children's bread.'  Then JESUS said to her, 'You may go your way; because of such a response, the demon has gone out of your daughter.'  And when the woman went home, she found her child lying in bed, and the demon gone." - Mark 7:24-30  

(Although JESUS came to save all, HIS FATHER desired that HE does not go beyond HIS own country.  Nevertheless, on certain occasions HE encountered pagans, and more than once admired their simplicity and faith.

The Jews usually looked down on pagans with marked contempt: they were the sons; the pagans were the dogs.  JESUS answered the afflicted woman repeating this well-known scornful saying.  HE said this to test the woman's faith: would she insist when it appeared that even GOD would reject her?)

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Clean And Unclean

"JESUS then called the people to HIM again and said to them, 'Listen to ME, all of you, and try to understand.  Nothing that enters a person from the outside can make that person unclean.  It is what comes from within that makes a person unclean.  Let everyone who has ears listen.'

When JESUS got home and was away from the crowd, HIS disciples asked HIM about this saying, and HE replied, 'So even you are dull?  Do you not see that whatever comes from outside cannot make a person unclean, since it enters not the heart but the stomach, and is finally passed out?'

Thus, JESUS declared that all foods are clean.

And HE went on, 'What comes out of a person is what defiles him, for evil designs comes out of the heart: theft, murder, adultery, jealousy, greed, maliciousness, deceit, indecency, slander, pride and folly.  All these evil things come from within and make a person unclean.'" - Mark 7:14-23 

  

(An important practice of Judaism was to keep oneself clean: one could not participate in worship without being in a state of ritual purity.  This word "purity" did not have the same meaning we give it today.  The clean person was one who was not contaminated even inadvertently by things prohibited by law.  For example, pork and rabbit were considered unclean; they could not be eaten.  A menstruating woman or a person with hemorrhoids were considered unclean for a certain number of days: no one could even touch them.  A leper was considered unclean until cured.  If a bug fell in oil, the oil was considered unclean, and would have to be thrown away.

If contaminated even by no fault of his own, the person had to purify himself, usually with water, sometimes paying for sacrifices.

JESUS removes off from these rites their sacred value: nothing is unclean in all GOD's creation; touching the sick, a corpse or a bloodstained object does not offend GOD.  GOD is not bothered if we eat this or that.  Sin is always something that comes from the heart and not something we do unintentionally.

It is true that Scripture teaches these concepts of purity and impurity, but these laws were written many centuries ago and not everything Scripture says is valid for all times.  Though the teachings of the Scriptures GOD educated HIS nation, but the laws HE gave them from the beginning, when they were barbaric and uneducated, are no longer necessary for a community which has a solid religious foundation.)

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True Cleanness

"One day, the Pharisees gathered around JESUS, and with them were some teachers of the law who had just come from Jerusalem.

They noticed that some of HIS disciples were eating their meal with unclean hands, that is, without washing them.  Now the Pharisees, and in fact all the Jews, never eat without washing their hands, for they follow the tradition received from their ancestors.  Nor do they eat anything, when they come from the market, without first washing themselves.  And there are many other traditions they observe; for example, the ritual washing of cups, pots and plates.

So, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law asked HIM, 'Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders, but eat with unclean hands?'

JESUS answered, 'You shallow people!  How well Isaiah prophesied of you when he wrote: This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.  The worship they offer me is worthless, for what they teach are only human rules.  You even put aside the commandment of GOD to hold fast to human tradition.'

And JESUS commented, 'You have a fine way of disregarding the commandments of GOD in order to enforce your own traditions!  For example, Moses said: Do your duty to your father and your mother, and: Whoever curses his father, or his mother is to be put to death.  But according to you, someone could say to his father or mother, 'I already declared Corban (which means "offered to GOD") what you could have expected from me.'  In this case, you no longer require him to do anything for his father or mother; and so, you nullify the word of GOD through the tradition you have handed on.  And you do many other things like that." - Mark 7:1-13  

(No group, not even the Church, can sustain itself without traditions and customs.  Yet even when they are good traditions, they are still made by humans.  For example, the way the mass is celebrated, celebrations, novenas, etc.  All that past popes, bishops, and Christian communities have done can be changed; we understand that they are not essential.

What does not change is GOD's teaching.  Where can it be found?  In the Scriptures and in JESUS' teachings.  Yet there is a way of understanding JESUS as the apostles did.  This is called the Tradition of the Apostles, and the Church, founded by the apostles, guards this Tradition, that is, their spirit.  Let us not confuse the traditions of Catholics with the Tradition of the Church.

We often make little effort to enter into the spirit and Tradition of the Church, however, clinging instead to antiquated and mediocre traditions.  Why are so many Christians today scandalized when the Church frees itself from these antiquated rites?  JESUS gives us the reason: they cling to these rites because they are incapable of believing.  External religion replaces the authentic faith they do not possess.  They hang onto these things because these are all they have, and if they lost that, GOD no longer has any meaning for them.)

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GOD's Promise To David

"Then came the news, 'The Ark is in Ephrata, we found it in the fields of Jaar.'

Let us go to where HE dwells and worship at HIS footstool!

Arise, O YAHWEH, and come to YOUR rest; YOU, and the Ark of YOUR might.

May YOUR priests be arrayed in glorious mantle; may YOUR faithful ones shout in gladness.

For the sake of YOUR servant, David, do not turn away the face of YOUR Anointed.

YAHWEH swore to David a promise, and HE will remain true to it: 'I will keep your descendants on your throne,

if your sons keep MY Covenant and the decrees, I have taught them; their sons, too, will sit forever upon your throne.'"

- Psalm 132:6-12

(Our LORD, our King, came to bring GOD to earth.  For this, HE labored unwearily, with sweat and even with blood.  And the result of HIS work was not a building, a Temple; but the Church, where GOD really dwells, eternally.

Verse 11 is quoted in Acts 2:30. The psalm lends itself to accepting the present reality, without forgetting, that we are heirs to a holy history.  We pray this psalm, in union with the Anointed One, who is at the same time, the Priest of the new Temple, built on the body of the LORD.) 

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JESUS Heals Many

"On leaving the synagogue, JESUS went to the home of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.  As Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with fever, they immediately told HIM about her.  JESUS went to her and taking her by hand, raised her up.  The fever left her, and she began to wait on them.

That evening, at sundown, people brought to JESUS all the sick and those who had evil spirits: the whole town was pressing around the door.  JESUS healed many who had various diseases and drop out many demons; but HE did not let them speak, for they knew who HE was.

Very early in the morning, before daylight, JESUS went off to a lonely place where HE prayed.  Simon and the others went out also, searching for HIM; and when they found HIM, they said, 'Everyone is looking for YOU.'  Then JESUS answered, 'Let us go to the nearby villages so that I may preach there too; for that is why I came.'

So JESUS set out to preach in all the synagogues throughout Galilee; HE also cast out demons." - Mark 1:29-39  

(Peter's simple faith is manifested.  JESUS enters the house, bringing with HIM peace and health.  JESUS shows us how to visit the sick.  What a natural thing to do when Mass ends--to go see the sick.  The care and love of our Christian sisters and brothers attracts GOD's favors upon them.

That evening at sundown.  Let us not forget that it is the Sabbath, the weekly day of rest.  For the Jews days are counted from the time of sunset and night precedes day as shown in Genesis 1:5. Everyone observes the Sabbath, just as JESUS does and there is such haste to bring the sick to HIM that they begin to do so in the evening as soon as the Sabbath is over.

The apostles knew GOD since childhood through the Scripture's teachings; perhaps they had not discovered GOD within their own lives but prayed to GOD as to a distant stranger.  When they joined JESUS, they immediately understood that there was something extraordinary about HIM.  They were especially taken with HIS apparent intimacy with GOD.  The most extraordinary thing they noted in HIS manner and actions was HIS intimate and faithful union with HIS FATHER.

Living with JESUS, they begin to desire to know the FATHER more fully, something like JESUS knows HIM [Luke 11:1; John 14:8; 15:15].)

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Solomon's Dream

"The king used to sacrifice at Gibeon, the great high place; on the altar there he had offered a thousand burnt offerings.  It was in Gibeon, during the night, that YAHWEH appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, 'Ask what you want me to give you.'

Solomon answered, 'YOU have shown YOUR servant David my father a great and steadfast love because he served YOU faithfully and was righteous and sincere towards YOU.  YOU have given him proof of YOUR steadfast love in making a son of his sit on his throne this day.  And now, O YAHWEH my GOD, YOU have made YOUR servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a young boy who does not know to undertake anything.  Meantime, YOUR servant is in the midst of YOUR people whom YOU have chosen - a people so great that they can neither be numbered nor counted.

Give me, therefore, an understanding mind in governing YOUR people that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this multitude of people of YOURS?'  

YAHWEH was pleased that Solomon had made this request.  And HE told him, 'Because you have requested this rather than long life or wealth or even vengeance on your enemies; indeed, because you have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I shall grant you your request.  I now give you a wise and discerning mind such as no one has had before you nor anyone after you shall ever have.'

'I will also give you what you have not asked for, both wealth and fame; and no king shall be your equal during your lifetime'." - 1 Kings 3:4-13 

(Solomon's "dream" is very famous.  Perhaps this dream is only a parable by which the author of the book describes Solomon's disposition when he began his reign.

Ask what you want.  This is GOD's offer to the young Solomon, HIS beloved one.  It is GOD's offer to any young person who is faced with responsibilities for the first time.  Life will not be a destiny imposed upon him or her; rather, one way or another, GOD will give people what they desire.  What do you seek?  [see John 1:38].

YOU have shown YOUR servant David my father a great and steadfast love.  The young king does not start from scratch.  He owes everything he has to his ancestors, and everything he has from them came from GOD.  Solomon knows that YAHWEH committed HIMSELF to David forever: "I shall never reject your children."

Give me an understanding mind in governing your people.  Solomon concerned about carrying out his responsibilities and does not want the people to be robbed of their expectations.

Nevertheless, Solomon has in mind other forms of "wisdom" that were appreciated in those days:

     - to prepare for himself a long and quiet life, not to have problems or trouble, and to be spared the sacrifices required by a noble life;

     - wealth, enjoyment of life, "to be comfortable";

     - the death of his enemies, i.e., strength that leads to victory, satisfaction of one's personal pride.

I now give you a wise and discerning mind: I will also give you what you have not asked for.  This is the same teaching of JESUS in Matthew 6:33.) 

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JESUS Is Presented In The Temple

 "When the day came for the purification according to the law of Moses, they brought the baby up to Jerusalem to present HIM to the LORD, as it is written in the law of the LORD: Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to GOD.  And they offered a sacrifice as ordered in the law of the LORD: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

There lived in Jerusalem, at this time, a very upright and devout man named Simeon; the Holy Spirit was in him.  He looked forward to the time when the LORD would comfort Israel; and he had been assured, by the Holy Spirit, that he would not die before seeing the Messiah of the LORD.  So, he was led into the temple by the Holy Spirit at the time the parents brought the child JESUS to do for HIM according to the custom of the law.  

Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed GOD, saying,

'Now, O LORD, YOU can dismiss YOUR servant in peace,

for YOU have fulfilled YOUR word

and my eyes have seen YOUR salvation,

which YOU display for all the people to see.

Here is the light YOU will reveal to the nations,

and the glory of YOUR people Israel.'

HIS father and mother wondered at what was said about the child.  Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, HIS mother, 'Know this: your Son is a sign; a sign established for the falling and rising of many in Israel, a sign of contradiction; and a sword will pierce your own soul so that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.'" - Luke 2:22-35  

(Mary and Joseph went to the temple to fulfill a ritual of the Jewish religion [Leviticus 12:8].  JESUS being a firstborn male must be consecrated to GOD [Exodus 13:1].

Simeon and Ana like Mary and Joseph belong to the "small remnant of Israel."  This minority of GOD's people live their faith in humility and faithfulness to the prophets' teaching: GOD knows how to make HIMSELF known to them.

What is the meaning of the sword that will pierce Mary's soul?  It indicates Mary's grief upon seeing her Son die on the cross.  It also signifies that Mary will suffer because she will not always understand what her Son does.  The best shared love will not prevent each from remaining a mystery to the other, and more so for GOD than for anyone else.  GOD does not watch our fidelity from heaven, but rather seeks us [HE tries us in the sense of asking us to reveal ourselves].  The love of the FATHER will be Mary's cross just as it would be for JESUS.

CHRIST is GOD's light which enlightens people, but which also blinds and confuses them at times.  HE is a sign that is opposed, but this is a mystery--those who oppose HIM are not always the worst.  There are some people who believe in CHRIST, but do not follow HIM.  Unable to see HIS light they do not know that it condemns them.  There are good people who do not believe because GOD wills that they seek the light their whole life long.)

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The Mission

"JESUS then went around the villages, teaching.  HE called the Twelve to HIM, and began to send out two by two, giving them authority over evil spirits.  And HE ordered them to take nothing for the journey, except a staff: no food, no bag, no money in their belts.  They were to wear sandals and were not to take an extra tunic.

And HE added, 'In whatever house you are welcomed, stay there until you leave the place.  If any place doesn't receive you, and the people refuse to listen to you, leave after shaking the dust off your feet.  It will be a testimony against them.'

So they set out to proclaim that this was the time to repent.  They drove out many demons and healed many sick people by anointing them." - Mark 6:7-13 

JESUS Sends Out The Twelve

(JESUS begins a third stage of HIS ministry by organizing a mission throughout the province.  Before, the apostles accompanied JESUS but now HE sends them ahead of HIM.

JESUS is an educator.  HE not only teaches HIS followers, HE has them share in HIS mission.  HIS apostles must also proclaim their faith and perform healings as the Master does.  By doing this, they put into practice what they have discovered of the kingdom of GOD.  The disciples should be first to believe what they themselves proclaim: GOD makes HIMSELF present.  Because of this, they must live day by day, trusting in the FATHER's Providence, not frightened but always conscious of GOD's mission and power.

Oil was used at the time as a remedy, but JESUS gives it a new meaning: the healings bring more than just well-being, they are also the sign of spiritual healing, the reconciliation of people with GOD.

JESUS concern to form communities of believers is already present.  HE sends HIS disciples out two by two so that the message will not be from one person only, but the expression of a group united in one mission.  JESUS tells them to stay under one roof with one family so that this may be a center radiating faith.)   

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