Reading, Reflection and Prayer

Unlike the previous healing of sight, this time there is no partial healing - sight is immediately present. We think about the parallel with the situation in the gospel, where the disciples now fully 'see' what it means to be the Christ - a savior who has come to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.

The rich young man has kept all the rules, but falls short at the invitation to sell all he has and follow Jesus. We reflect on the demand of faith - that to truly trust Jesus is about allowing him to be first in our lives.

Not divorcing for any and every reason and the example of children. We talk about the difference between an attitude of 'what will the law allow me to get away with' and an attitude of 'what is God's best in this situation'.

The disciples discuss who is the greatest. Jesus uses a small child to give them an example to follow. We think of the straightforwardness of faith that a child demonstrates, and our need to submit our thinking to the Holy Spirit.

The transfiguration and the boy whose father says 'I believe, help my unbelief'. We think about the voice from heaven that says 'listen to him' and the need place our faith in Jesus.

The gospel turns at this point as Jesus asks who people say he is. Peter declares him to be the Christ. Then Jesus talks about his suffering and death and the need for his disciples also to deny themselves, take up their cross and lay their lives down for the sake of the gospel.

Jesus expects the disciples to understand the significance of the two feeding miracles - especially the numbers of baskets of leftovers and the number of people fed. Ruth reflects of the symbolism of those numbers and we think about the fact the Jesus provides enough for all.

Jesus tells people to keep his presence and identity to themselves. They completely ignore him. We think about the way in which people make their own decisions regardless of who Jesus is. This contrasts with the faith of the Syro-Phoenician woman.

We reflect on the difference between what seems expected by society and what really matters. The Pharisees are close, but in reality have completely missed the point.

Jesus feeds the crowd in the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. We reflect on the disciples' understanding of who Jesus is, and their faith in him. Do we trust in Jesus' ability to provide for us?