Seal

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Seal

Heavenly     Incarnational

Offering     Endowing     Enduring

Not By Bread Alone

Emissary

(picture and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   John 6: 24 to 35

The people went to Capernaum in their boats looking for Jesus when they noticed that neither Jesus nor His disciples were around. As soon as they saw Jesus, they said "Rabbi, when did you come here?"

Jesus said, "You are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate of the loaves and enjoyed them. You should not work for food that will not last but for the food that will always be there.

I will give you that food. For God has set His seal on me."

They asked Jesus, "What can we do to perform the works of God?"

Jesus told them, "The work of God is to believe in the One God sent."

They responded and said, "What sign can you give us that we might believe in you? Those who came before us ate manna in the desert. 

The scripture says He gave them bread from heaven to eat." 

Jesus told them, "Amen, Amen, I tell you, Moses did not give your ancestors the bread from heaven. My Father gives you the real bread from heaven. The bread of God comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

They said to Jesus, "Gives us the bread always."

Jesus told them, "I am the bread of life. If you come to me, you will not hunger. If you believe in me, you will never thirst."

Reflection

Jesus tells the people who came looking for Him to make Him king that God has put the seal of God on Jesus.

The seal is so important.

We speak of the seal of approval. This means that the product is good. It has been tested and found to be safe and helpful.

We seal the contents of a letter to make sure that the sentiments and information that we have expressed in that letter get to the right person.

Certain official documents must have the seal of the governing body or official on them to be accepted.

How much more important is the seal of God?

What a statement Jesus is making when He says that God has placed the seal of God on Him!

It is an amazing claim.

Is it arrogant?

Does it show pride?

Is Jesus bragging?

No. Jesus is simply sharing who He is with the crowd that has come searching for Him to make Him king.

Kings are sealed. They are anointed. The oil that is used signifies a change. They are different now---they have the power to rule over others.

The seal that Jesus has is the Ultimate Seal. There is no transcending the Seal of God.

It is amazing that this is the same seal that Jesus offers to us in our Baptism. It is the same seal that is strengthened in us at the time of our Confirmation. It is the same seal that is nourished in us as we receive the Bread of Life in the Eucharist.

Jesus does not hold back.

The seal that God gives to Him is generously shared with all who believe.

It is a seal that endures forever because the Love of God is a forever Love.

You have been sealed.

Forever! 

1. How do you feel when you realize that Jesus shares the seal of God with you?

(scripture adaptation, reflection, and question by John J

Lamb

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Lamb

Helpless     Sacrificial

Rescuing     Guiding     Gathering

Sheep Without A Shepherd

Pasture

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Mark 6: 30 to 34

The apostles came back to Jesus and told Him all that they had done and shared.

Jesus said to them, "Come with me to a quiet place and you can rest now."

There were large crowds that were coming and they were all so busy that they had no time even to eat!

They took off from there in a boat and went to a deserted place.

However, many people saw them leaving and they spread the word to others. They realized where Jesus and the apostles were going and they walked on foot and arrived there ahead of them.

When Jesus got out of the boat and saw the big crowd, His heart was moved with pity for the people.

He thought that they were like sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus began to teach them about the Kingdom of God!

Reflection

In our passage from Mark we have a good sense of the mission of the apostles. They have worked hard in teaching the people about the message of Jesus.

Jesus must have been so proud of them. He had spent a lot of time with them. He had gotten to know them better. He taught them the meaning of the scriptures. Now they were ready to go out on their own.

What an exciting time!

I can remember my first experiences in teaching. The classes were entrusted to me---quite the responsibility. A wonderful opportunity!

There is a feeling of apprehension ("Can I really do this") mixed in with joy ("I am finally getting to do this after all my preparation").

When you have an opportunity to share the results of your teaching and witness, you bubble over with stories and insights. It is a time of celebration and also gratitude to God who leads you every step of the way on your journey of sharing the knowledge that comes from Him.

Jesus is so wise in this passage. He looks into the eyes and hearts of the apostles and realizes that they have given their all and that they are exhausted. They need some time of rest.

The people, though, have their own needs. They are eager for more teaching from Jesus and the apostles. They literally can not get enough!

I can just imagine the surprise and shock on the face of Jesus when He saw the huge crowd in what He thought would be a deserted place! 

As He looks out at them, Jesus sees and feels their hunger. He puts aside His need for quiet and the need of the apostles for rest and ministers to the people as their Shepherd, the Lamb of God.

His sense of sacrifice to minister to others inspires us to put others first and to reach out to them in whatever way we can. 

Kathy's picture comes from a Prayer Service at the Vatican Gardens that points us toward St. Peter's Basilica. It reminds us of the many shepherds through the years who have tried to guide us towards Jesus.

A Good Shepherd is always mindful of His flock and tries to help them and heal them. Jesus shows us the way!

Feed your flock!

1. How do you feel when you share the Good News of Jesus with others?

2. What can we do to balance out the need for our rest and renewal with the needs of those to whom we minister?

3. Who are the shepherds who have led you and nurtured you in your faith journey?

(scripture adapted, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)   

Instructions

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Instructions

Scriptural      Providential

Testify     Anoint     Heal

All Missioned By Jesus

Messengers

(photo by Kathy McNamara from a painting by James Tisssot, 1836-1902, from the Brooklyn Museum; poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Mark 6: 7 to 13

Jesus called the Twelve together and started to send them out two by two.

Jesus gave them power over unclean spirits.

He told them to take nothing as they went---only a walking stick.

They would take no food, no sack, no money in their belts.

They could wear their sandals but only a single tunic.

jesus told them, "When you go into a house, stay there until you leave. If there are places that do not welcome you or listen to you, depart from there and shake the dust from your feet as a witness against them."

The Twelve went off and urged everyone to repent.

They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil those who were in need of healing and cured them.

Reflection

In this passage from Mark Jesus is giving Instructions for the Twelve. They have been with Him for a while. Now is their time to put what they have learned from Jesus into action!

The first thing we notice is that Jesus does not send out the Twelve individually. They always go out with a companion.

This shows us the importance of community---we are not in this mission alone. It is important to work with others.

As part of His Instruction, Jesus gives power to the Twelve. The specific power that the authors of Mark mention is the power over "unclean spirits". 

This is a tremendous power since the unclean spirits can cause a lot of harm. This power was meant to help the people to overcome evil and to live better lives.

Jesus then tells the Twelve to take nothing on their missionary trips. This is an amazing requirement.

When we look at it today, it seems very challenging. Taking nothing with us as we try to spread the Gospel might initially seem very hard.

As we reflect further, we can see the wisdom in this. If we take too much on our journey, it can become a distraction for us. It can also lead to people being reluctant to join the mission without having a certain amount of food or money.

Jesus is really saying that God will lead us on our journey and provide what we need. Sometimes we can hesitate on our mission because we think we need more of something.

Jesus tells us that we really need very little. He tells us that we can take our "walking stick". Why a "walking stick"?

The "walking stick" gives us balance. It helps us to avoid stumbles. 

This helps the Twelve to stay focused on their mission. It also is a good example for us today.

We don't need a lot for our mission. We are called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus as a consequence of our Baptism. 

Jesus gives us the Instructions. He tells us to keep our focus on the need to repent----to turn away from our selfishness and indifference; and on the need to heal and cure---to help people who are sick and who are in need.

The Instructions that Jesus gave are our Instructions for today. The Good News is that Jesus is with us and will assist us in every step of our journey as we join daily in the amazing mission of Jesus. 

Now is our time! We are the Messengers!

1. What are the "unclean spirits" that we have to overcome today as we share the Good News of Jesus?

2. Why does Jesus instruct us to take nothing on our missionary journey?

3.  What is the "walking stick" that you take on your journey?

4. How is Jesus with you on your missionary journey?

(scripture adapted and reflection and questions by John J. McNamara)

Carpenter

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Carpenter

Native     Identity

Rejecting     Doubting     Unbelieving

Among His Own Kin

Rabbi

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Mark 6: 1 to 6

Jesus and His disciples came to His native place. On the sabbath He started teaching in the synagogue and many were astonished who were there.

They wondered, "Where did He get all this knowledge? How does He do such amazing deeds? He is just a carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon. His sisters are here with us."

They were upset with Him. 

Jesus said to them, "A prophet is honored in many places but not in His own house and among his own family."

Jesus was not able to do any great miracles there but He did cure a few sick people when He laid hands on them.

He was amazed that they had such little faith.

Reflection

In this section of the Gospel of Mark Jesus comes back home. He returns to Nazareth but now He is not alone---some of his new disciples are with Him.

On the sabbath naturally they all go to the synagogue to pray with everyone. As part of the service Jesus is invited to share a teaching.

His wisdom, insight, and knowledge overwhelmed those who were gathered in that synagogue at Nazareth. They could not believe that this was Jesus.

After all they had seen Jesus grow up. He had become a carpenter like His father, Joseph. How could a simple carpenter explain the scriptures with such depth?

We can understand this sentiment. When someone is familiar to us, we naturally think we have figured that person out.  

This leads to the people being upset with Jesus. They wonder why He is showing off like this. They cannot accept Him as a Teacher, a Rabbi.

So many times we are quick to judge people. It is hard to truly listen to others.

Because they were so quick to put Jesus down, He could not perform any great miracles there. We are amazed that Mark puts it the way he does because Jesus still does several cures! Not too shabby!

We might ask how anyone could limit the ability of Jesus to perform great miracles. After all Jesus is divine and He certainly could have done great miracles.

The insight here is the importance of human freedom----the importance of our faith. Jesus respects our freedom of choice. He will not perform a great miracle if we are lacking in faith; and if we have faith in Him, great miracles will follow.

Jesus shows His wisdom in the way he reacts to their rejection. He realizes that prophets will not be honored by those who are too close to him. He understand this.

It still upsets Him as it would anyone. Yet He knows where they are coming from. 

He doesn't dwell on it. He moves on. 

He is the sower. The seed is there in Nazareth. It is in us. In time it will bear much fruit! 

1. Have you ever been surprised by the wisdom of someone you grew up with?

2. How do you see the relationship between faith and miracles?

3. Did Jesus fail in His mission at Nazareth?

(scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)