August 2, 2010
Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
But now, listen to what I am about to state in your hearing and the hearing of all the people. From of old, the prophets who were before you and me prophesied war, woe, and pestilence against many lands and mighty kingdoms. But the prophet who prophesies peace is recognized as truly sent by the LORD only when his prophetic prediction is fulfilled. Jeremiah 28:7-9
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.” Matthew 14:14-16
Piety
Father, you know that the opposite of dismiss is invite. Teach us to be better “inviters” so we can gather around with members of our community as well as welcome the stranger in our midst out of the same spirit of openness taught by your Son. Jesus, you taught us to be inviters through the example of your actions. Holy Spirit, help us to live in that same spirit of open invitation in our daily walk with the Lord. Amen.
Study
There is a scene near the beginning of the movie “Invictus,” where South Africa’s new president Nelson Mandela is confronted by the head of his security detail. The man wants more assistance to protect the new leader but complains when members of the former president’s security detail are assigned to assist them. The head of security wanted more help but expected that it would come from black South Africans who would protect the President they thought was their own.
When white security officers showed up, the head of the security office questioned their orders and wanted to send them away. Perhaps he did not want to share this elite assignment with men who also served the former government that had supported apartheid.
Jason Tshabalala, the security chief, heads into the president’s office and says: “There are four Special Branch cops in my office.”
President Mandela looks up and asks him, “Why, what did you do?”
After the security leader clarified his comment, President Mandela tells him: “The Rainbow Nation starts here. Reconciliation starts here.”
Jesus’ disciples also are always trying to protect Jesus from the people and keep him close to only them. If they keep the Lord for themselves and their small-ish clique, then they will not have to share as much as they might otherwise have to share. But Jesus will hear none of that. The Kingdom of God starts here. The communion of all starts here. The sharing of active love and worldly possessions starts here.
Many different people tried to penetrate the guarded perimeter around Jesus. Children, lepers, the sick and others all ran into interference until Jesus personally invited them in just as He invited the disciples. The invitation was open to all. Despite repeated examples of that openness, the disciples continually attempted to block who ever was trying to approach the Lord right down to the Roman soldiers coming to arrest Jesus.
Today, the disciples want to send away the people so they will not have to feed them. Once again, Jesus rebukes them and remarks, “There is no need for them to go away.” The Kingdom of God starts here. The communion of all starts here. Jesus will personally feed these people even if the disciples do not seem to know that they have it in their will and in their means.
Action
What assistance do you have within your will and your means? How can you help the people who might try to approach Jesus today? Who is stranger that the Lord calling you to welcome today?
