The Healing of Many People

Today's Reflections

                                                                                   

 

The Healing of Many People

Mt 15:29-37

²⁹[At that time,] Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. ³⁰Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. ³¹The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.

³²Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” ³³The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” ³⁴Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” ³⁵He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. ³⁶Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. ³⁷They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over—seven baskets full.

Jesus went up on the mountain. Great crowds came to him. The Advent liturgical readings are unlike those in Ordinary Time. This season’s readings are selections; the Gospel and the First Reading are often connected.

As we re-read the Matthean story of Jesus preaching on the mountain, healing many, and feeding about 4,000 men, we relate it with the Apocalypse of Isaiah (First Reading) which states: “On this mountain the Lord… will provide for all peoples a feast… The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces…”

Jesus whom we welcome is truly the Messiah, the fulfillment of prophecies and hopes in Israel! But he comes in the mold of Isaiah’s Servant of God, and not as the political-military Messiah that many in Israel are expecting. He comes with power to nourish minds, spirits, and bodies.

What is your image of Jesus as Messiah?

How do you often picture him

in your prayers and meditations?