Sunday, our rector decided to read a large chunk of Mark 8 as part of his sermon, and I was struck by a couple of different things.
Here is the passage:
Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, ‘Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ They said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ And they said to him, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’
They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, ‘Can you see anything?’ And the man looked up and said, ‘I can see people, but they look like trees, walking.’ Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.
Second, I thought about how blind the disciples' were to the significance of the feeding of the 4,000. I've been flogging myself to work extra jobs and extra hours to provide for us, . . . when I serve a God who can make abundance out of crumbs. I took this as a reminder that if I pursue God's vocation for me, he will provide. (I don't take that to mean I'll become rich. I'm not preaching prosperity gospel here.)
Anyway, this seemed like a good reminder of the things that God is calling me to this Lent.
13 comments:
Ruth, I recently went through a similar work situation and was "reminded" of a few things too. I normally don't turn around rush work unless it's an absolute emergency. But, given the economy, I began to backslide on my policy, thinking I should just be thankful for the work. I was reminded not to do this with a literal avalanche of "emergency situations" that left me so exhausted I barely got through the next day. I think you are wise to work hard and steady, but not overdo.
This sounds like a wise conclusion.
The thing I really like about this story is that Jesus didn't get it "right" the first time! (I like the thought that even Jesus had to learn and grow into his "abilities.")
But I agree with you about the need to trust God. It's something I have a hard time doing...
Pax,
Doxy
I like that: "They look like trees walking."
A wonderful reminder as I head into the work week after a few days away. I tend to lose my focus and let that internal rush-rush feeling sweep me away. I must remember to listen and see today.
That's a good reminder for all of us...thank you.
It does sound like a wise conclusion. In the end, we control very little.. so even though it's good to do the best we can, it makes no sense to press.
~*
This reminds of a little hymn we sang when I was a kid, "Open my my eyes that I may see.....visions of truth Thou has for me."
Keep on trying. . .I need to do that.
Good thoughts...
ruth,
a good word from you! may i sit beside you at the banqueting table?
I've always liked that line too "they look like trees walking", and i'm said that this text is not in our lectionary and doesn't get preached on much.
p.s. your conclusion is also one i need to hear again, too.
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