Scripture Reflection
Reflection on this Sunday's
Readings
by Fr. Chris Robinson, CM
Jesus was fully human. Completely and totally human. Sometimes it is easy to forget this important facet of who he was. And is. It is easy to forget Jesus’ humanity because he was also completely and fully divine. The Son of God.
The early Christians who remembered, told, re-told, and wrote the stories of Jesus’ life really wanted us to remember that he shared our humanity completely. This seems to be clear in the Gospel reading we share today. Sadly, it touches home in ways that are possibly more poignant as we continue to navigate our way through the current pandemic, too.
Jesus experienced the loss of people he loved. He experienced the fear that his people felt during the time of Roman occupation, diseases, poverty, and displacement. All of these things were part of his waking, preaching, teaching, sleeping, and living. Jesus was fully human and attuned to the challenges of his day.
In Luke’s gospel, we read Jesus’ response to the death of his dear friend Lazarus. He weeps. As far as I know, this is the only scripture passage we have that tells us Jesus cried and shed tears. This is such a human response that comes from a very real human being who feels the loss of a loved one to death.
Similarly, we see Jesus in today’s Gospel reading from Saint Matthew responding to the death of his cousin John the Baptist. He just wants to get away. Retreat to a deserted place. Deal with his loss in private. So human!
And yet his love for the people to whom he is called to served bubbles up and surfaces above the sadness of loss. He looks out and realizes others who have experienced loss, fear, despair, and alienation follow him. They follow him for his miracles. They also follow him because he knows what it is like to be them. Jesus understands and feels their fear and pain, confusion and frustration.
Isaiah, in the first reading, reminds us that God provides for us. “All those who are thirsty … come to the water.” Jesus would have been very familiar with this passage. Remember how he read from the Book of Isaiah when he began his public ministry? When the people followed Jesus to the deserted place, my guess is that he remembered this passage from the prophet. The people were hungry for meaning, consolation, guidance, and healing. Just like Jesus after the death of his cousin.
And so, he feeds them from almost nothing. Five loaves and two fish. This becomes enough for five thousand others who are hungry, thirsty, and looking for comfort.
Today’s world is confusing, scary, and calls out our best selves. Jesus, yet again, offers us an example of how we can embrace our humanity, accept its limitations, and look to God to increase what little we may think we have. Let us continue to pray for one another, take care of one another, and look to our very human brother, Jesus, for guidance. His divinity as Christ will continue to shine through as he helps us along the way.
