The BreadCast

(1Kgs.8:1-7,9-13; Ps.132:6-10; Mk.6:53-56) "Let us enter into His dwelling, let us worship at His footstool." "Advance, O Lord, to your resting place, you and the ark of your majesty." Yes, in our first reading, "the elders of Israel and all the leaders of the tribes" come to bring the ark of the Lord into the temple Solomon has built in Jerusalem. "For the occasion [they] sacrificed before the ark sheep and oxen too many to number or count." When the ark was in its place in the holy of holies, "the Lord's glory… filled the temple" in the form of a cloud. The Lord's presence had come to rest in this "princely house." But this shall not be a dwelling "where [He] may abide forever," as Solomon says; for the eternal Temple is Jesus. In our gospel "crowds scurried about the adjacent area and began to bring in the sick on bedrolls" when the Lord and His disciples tied up their boat in Genessaret. Here as everywhere He went "they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged Him to let them touch just the tassel of His cloak." Mark tells us, "All who touched Him got well." Here is the true Temple at work, a place where prayers are answered, where healing is known. As the ark was placed "beneath the wings of the cherubim in the sanctuary," so the Father has the angels spread their wings over His Son, guarding and blessing His every step. As when the ark is brought in to the holy of holies, the Lord's glory fills the temple, so when He comes to us, when we but touch Him, we are filled with His presence and made whole. As the Israelites crowded into the temple to offer sacrifice, so now all in need surround the Lord to share in the holy sacrifice of His Body and Blood. Here is the Temple not made by human hands, brothers and sisters. Here is the Lord's eternal dwelling place. Here is Jesus, the Son of God. In all the tabernacles of all the churches throughout the world He rests, His presence abides. Let us flock to Him. Let us receive Him into our hearts and bodies. Let us know His healing touch upon our souls. Let us pray with our psalmist, "May your priests be clothed with justice; let your faithful ones shout merrily for joy." For here is His holy presence; here is the glory of the Lord. Here He hears our prayers as we call upon His Name and worship before Him each day. Here He enters in and makes His home with us, and so we, too, become temples of the Lord. ******* O LORD, may we but touch your Son and be healed, your cloud of glory filling our souls. YHWH, your Word has become flesh; the Law you inscribed on the two tablets of stone now walks among us in the Person of Jesus. Here is the true Temple, your dwelling where you abide forever. To Him should we come in praise and worship to find healing that we might rest with you. O LORD, make us holy as He is holy; let us enter your sanctuary, the wings of your angels spread above us for protection. Yes, let us become as the Body of your Son as we partake of His Word and Sacrament here in your House. To your Temple let us come that we might be temples ourselves. What should we not sacrifice to your glory? What should occupy us but finding your Presence in our midst? Should we not lay our sick souls at Jesus' feet; should we not seek to enter His tabernacle? O let us enter your dwelling place and make our home in His flesh and blood!

O innocent soul, pure as an angel, meek as a lamb, from slavery you were taken to the house of God, where freedom you found in faith in the Lord – pray for the freedom of all slaves chained in soul or body, that they shall be released from the snares of this world to walk at liberty with Jesus. Pray His goodness reign in all His children, in all who would be gentle as this Lamb; may all those in need of His grace hear His Word proclaimed, and in His blood be redeemed. And pray His Mother watch over all who are near or far from Him, till they enter His presence.

O soldier for the Lord and servant of the poor who trusted in God alone and gave your life for those in need – may we, too, become friends of the one Lord, purified of all dross by the trials we endure and by doing His will in this world. His children let us become as we care for the children most in need, those who seem abandoned by Him. His hands and His heart let us be, that in such love we shall be free of all fear and separation from the Father and so dwell with those we serve in the peace of Heaven.

"Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." And how shall "your light break forth like the dawn" except that you "share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own." Indeed, you must "remove from your midst oppression, false accusation, and malicious speech," for only "the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice," only for him "light shines through the darkness" – as he is thus light being brought to this world of darkness and sin – only "he shall not fear," for "his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord." And he shall stand on the last day, when the light comes to its fullness. This emptying oneself of all that is evil and finding oneself in all that is just by "lavishly [giving] to the poor," by feeding all those in need, is as Paul comes to the Thessalonians: "I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling." "I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." "Not with persuasive words of wisdom" does he come "but with a demonstration of Spirit and power." Embracing the cross he empties himself entirely of all selfishness, of all that is not of God, and thus the light that shines through him is entirely of the Lord, and serves as genuine food to the hungry soul. Brothers and sisters, to whom is the Lord speaking in our gospel but to us? Who is "the light of the world," what is the "city set on a mountain" but the Church? If we are not "the salt of the earth," bringing out the flavor of justice and love from the flesh of the Body, who shall be? And what shall become of us and the world, therefore, but "to be thrown out and trampled underfoot"? Sometimes we look to others – to government, to business, to science – to lead the way. But all that need be is that we light the lamp that is in our grasp by the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the house shall be illumined; we shall no longer fear or worry for the fate of those in need, for we shall be present to serve them. But if "under a bushel basket" we place the light that is ours, what can the world be but dark; and what can the people do but suffer? Brothers and sisters, we are called to shine the love of God. The time has come to do so. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Removing the Log from My Eye" (2nd part) from Listening to the Lamp, ninth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, let us trust firmly in you and so shine your light even as your Son, Jesus. YHWH, help us to be the light you call us to be, the light we must be if the world is to be saved from darkness. Your Son has come as the true light to illumine the hearts of all men, to save them from their sin, and we must now carry that light forth, for who else shall do so? Bless your Church, O LORD. with the sacrificial Spirit of your only Son. Instill in our hearts the love only He knows. Help us to be generous, to lay down our lives for others, that the hungry might be fed and the naked clothed with your glory. O may our light indeed break forth like the dawn in this dark world that all souls might be drawn to your kingdom! No fear have we, dear LORD, but the fear of failing to serve you, failing to reveal the face of Jesus in all we do. Let us not hide His light; let our spirits not be corrupted and we be trampled underfoot for turning from your call. Rather, let us do good, let us do your will, that your glory may be ever with us.

(1Kgs.3:4-13; Ps.119:9-14; Mk.6:30-34) "He began to teach them at great length." "Who is able to govern this vast people of yours?" Solomon asks in his plea to God for wisdom. And "upon disembarking Jesus saw a vast crowd" who "were like sheep without a shepherd," our gospel tells us. The apostles have just "returned to Jesus and reported to Him all that they had done and what they had taught," how they had managed to enter into His mission, and now it is time for rest in a deserted place. But the crowds hasten on foot to fill that deserted place, and what can the Lord do but feed those who thirst so much for His presence and His word. In our first reading Solomon reflects his father David's humble obedience before God: "O Lord, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act." And so he makes the request for wisdom that so pleases the Lord. And so God grants his request: "I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one equal to you," and adds the greatest of riches and glory to it. Solomon it is who composes proverbs, who judges the most difficult of cases, who is able to answer any question – it is he who rules the great kingdom of Israel in peace. And all this he is able to do because his soul is as our psalmist's today; he sings with him, "With all my heart I seek you; let me not stray from your commands," and, "In the way of your decrees I rejoice, as much as in all riches." But when the king strays, he shall lose the great promise which has been so marvelously revealed in his reign. He, too, shall show that he is but human. Only the Lord teaches, brothers and sisters! Only the Lord is able to rule! All teaching and all governance come only from Him and not our own souls. As great as the wisdom of Solomon was, apart from the Lord it becomes nothing but vanity. For it is He who grants it to the king, according to his humble request. And it is He who can only take it back again, upon separation from Him. Let us keep to His words, brothers and sisters. Let us remain under His Spirit's tutelage, within the walls of Mother Church. Here we shall be taught. By His wisdom we shall come to know. In His Word we shall find the salvation of our souls. Come now to your Shepherd and hear His voice imparting the grace of wisdom, the food that sustains you, to your mind and heart. Enter into His call. ******* O LORD, teach your poor flock with your wisdom that we might declare your Word to all. YHWH, teach us at great length for we are as sheep without a shepherd, we are all as mere youths before you, children not knowing right from wrong. Only you give us an understanding heart; only by your Word are we instructed in the way we should go. How lost we would be without your command! Show favor to your servants, LORD, for we wish to do your will. Your Son we follow to deserted places that He might satiate our thirsting souls. All the riches and glory of this world we would leave behind, if you would but give us your wisdom. Within our hearts we treasure your promise – let us not sin against you! Let your Spirit be with us to guide us in all truth that we might accomplish your call. O may your Son feed us with His own Body and Blood! May we join our sacrifice to His and so find our lives acceptable in your sight, dearest LORD and God.

O proclaimers of the faith even unto death, death on a cross, you who have followed in the way of our Lord so completely, loving your enemies even as they killed you, encouraging your brothers even with your last breath – may the blood you shed not be forgotten by those of the nation in which you preached and by all souls who seek God; may it nourish the land and bring it to bear much fruit unto Heaven. Pray that we who are so fearful here may find the faith and courage you displayed and so be blessed with the same grace that imparts the peace of the kingdom.

(Sir.47:2-11; Ps.18:31,47,50-51; Mk.6:14-29) "Herod feared John, knowing him to be an upright and holy man." O how the Lord has given power to His great men. It is He who "gave great victories to [the] king." David "called upon the Most High God, who gave strength to his right arm"; and as David "made sport of lions as though they were kids," as he "slew the giant" and his "tens of thousands" in battle, so John the Baptist slays the sins of the multitude, even striking great fear into the heart of King Herod by the simple words: "It is not right for you to live with your brother's wife." And though it is John who is beheaded, it is Herod who shakes in his boots long after the Baptist is gone. As our gospel relates today, "On hearing of Jesus, Herod exclaimed, 'John, whose head I cut off, has been raised up!'" This king's guilt remains, as do the words of the Baptist in his heart. "He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him," David declares so knowingly in our psalm today. Indeed, the Lord's blessed protection has been continually with his king, who has ever taken Him as his Rock. Of David, Sirach writes, "With his every deed he offered thanks to God Most High, in words of praise. With his whole being he loved his Maker and daily had his praises sung." What tremendous witness the wise man gives to the Lord's chosen king. And perhaps most poignant and most significant is his statement that "the Lord forgave him his sins and exalted his strength forever." David does not lose his kingship because of his failures – as does Herod, who is already dead by his wickedness – but in fact has the establishment of "his throne in Israel" fulfilled in the coming of Christ. The Lord's power is upon His chosen. To each He gives the grace needed to offer lives of sacrifice. As David's life was "like the choice fat of the sacred offerings" and John's death a holocaust that rises yet unto God, so all our lives may be enriched and blessed, and made whole in His sight; so will they be as "sweet melody," if we but entrust them to the Lord our God. And then none shall be able to stand before the power that is with us, for His holiness conquers all. ******* O LORD, may all we do be a song of praise to your holy NAME; let all evil be overcome by the strength of your Word. YHWH, as David slew Goliath so John the Baptist slays Herod, even from the grave. Still this vain king is tormented by the Baptist's word of truth; still his sin is exposed and his guilt apparent. Still he lives in fear. Still John speaks in Jesus his Savior. O LORD, with David let us sing praise to your holy NAME, for you conquer all evil in this world and the next; you give power to your Son Jesus and His apostles to destroy all wickedness. Who can stand before your glory? Before you the dance of lust turns to dust. You are the shield of all who take refuge in you, LORD. You are indeed God Most High, and to you we offer thanks and praise. For there is nothing we need fear; with you at our side we are safe from all our enemies. Into your kingdom let us come, dearest LORD and God, far apart from this sinful world. Even here you reassure our hearts of your eternal presence.

O good child of God who gave your life so willingly for the sake of Christ and so wore His holy blood upon your robes, you who were blessed to remain ever faithful to the Lord even as those around you turned from His presence – pray for us this day that our lives too may be holy and blessed as your own, that we too might give witness to the Lord with the same pure love you did so readily show. Pray we shall be wed to the Spouse you so intimately knew and thus become one with Him and all His saints in Heaven. May our lives also be good, may they also be godly, and may we, too, stand as others fall.

(1Kgs.2:1-4,10-12; 1Chr.29:10-12; Mk.6:7-13) "Yours, O Lord, is the sovereignty; you are exalted as head over all." Solomon begins his reign, and the apostles begin their mission. But how different is their manner of rule. Solomon sits in sovereignty upon a throne, while the apostles are sent in poverty to all towns. Solomon's reign is of the physical universe, with the riches of the world at his disposal; whereas the twelve apostles rule in the kingdom of heaven, shown by the Lord's "giving them authority over unclean spirits." They go forth with "no food, no traveling bag, not a coin in the purses in their belts," "preaching the need of repentance," the dust upon their feet. Solomon remains within the walls of his palace, well-guarded and with all "riches and honor," seemingly of "grandeur and power, majesty, splendor, and glory." Now let us not think that the riches themselves are evil, for these are a gift from God (rewarding Solomon for his initial desire for wisdom above all else); but it must never be forgotten that, as David declares to God at the time of his son's anointing: "Riches and honor are from you." His always are the majesty and the glory. If Solomon would remember this, if he would heed the Lord's words to David's sons to "remain faithful to [Him] with their whole heart and with their whole soul," observing always His commands – his kingship would be blessed. But Solomon, too, shall sin, and worse than his father: he shall turn to worship of other gods. And the sons that follow shall only continue the decline, necessitating the reign of Christ to enter in. So, humbly do the disciples of the Lord go forth, though with the greatest of power. They call for the repentance of all proud souls, possessed of the throne of this unholy world. The Twelve "expelled many demons, anointed the sick with oil, and worked many cures," thus bringing the kingdom of God to this world; and we are called to follow them, in the same poverty. None of this can we do if our hearts are set upon the riches of this world. Empty must we be of the desire for the food of earthly security – into the Lord's hands we must utterly place our lives. Only then will we be rich in Him "from eternity to eternity." Splendor awaits us all, brothers and sisters, in the cross we carry upon this dusty earth. ******* O LORD, if we follow in the way of your Son, we shall share in His power. YHWH, yours are grandeur and power, majesty, splendor, and glory. You are exalted over all and have dominion over all. Yet your sons go out with nothing, nothing but the Cross. In this alone do they find your authority and power; in Christ alone are all men saved. It is not upon the throne of this world your Son sits, with gold rings and a royal crown. No, His crown is of thorns and He is stripped of even His clothes. And just so naked must His disciples be, bereft of all attachments to this place, trusting entirely in your grace. O LORD, let us go forth strengthened by faith! How shall we find our blessing, dear God, the blessing of your presence in our hearts and in our souls? How shall we become your very temples in this world? Write your NAME upon our souls, that no evil spirit will have power over us, that we might do your will in all things and so find your eternal blessing.

(2Sm.24:2,9-17; Ps.32:1-2,5-7, Mk.6:1-6) "I acknowledged my sin to you; my guilt I covered not." The Lord can heal only those who believe in Him, who turn to Him in their guilt to be saved. David has sinned against the Lord once again. His kingdom had been blessed by the Lord and was flourishing in His sight. Rather than accept the blessings the Lord poured upon him and so find their increase, the king sought control over that which should have been left in the hands of God by numbering the people who had been the Lord's gift to him. And so now their number shall be decreased in his sight. But David regrets his sin, acknowledging it before the Lord and begging His pardon: "I have sinned grievously in what I have done. But now, Lord, forgive the guilt of your servant, for I have been very foolish," and he throws himself on the mercy of God. The Lord does destroy some seventy thousand in the kingdom, but relents at David's intercession for the sheep under his rule who have done no wrong – the king entreats, "Punish me and my kindred," and then offers an appeasing sacrifice to God. David's sin is severe and has serious consequences, but the Lord is faithful in forgiving him when he calls out to Him. However, when "Jesus went to His own part of the country," as shown in our gospel, their hearts were closed against Him and He could share no grace. Were they any less sinners than David? Had they any less need of His forgiveness, of His healing? Their hardness of heart itself proves otherwise, but, sadly, "they found Him too much for them"; and "their lack of faith," which distressed the Lord, prevented them from knowing the mercy found by their ancestor David. Ironically, it is their own closeness to Him and His human family that keeps them from recognizing the greatness of the grace which works through Him. Would they disown David, him whose sons they claim to be, if he had come to them in such a way? And yet Jesus they reject. Brothers and sisters, our sights must be set on heaven and the mercy that falls from there through the Lord. We have all sinned as David in our foolishness. We must acknowledge it as he has, with faith that the Lord can heal us, that He walks amongst us as a brother to cure all our ills and teach us the way to love. If we listen without acceptance of Him in faith, "no miracle" will be worked in our lives – and it is a miracle we most need, for we simple servants must lay down our lives. ******* O LORD, let us not question the wonders you work in our midst; let us rejoice at the presence of your saving Son. YHWH, forgive the guilt of our sin, that we have turned our backs on you and not believed in your providence, and not accepted your Son. How could we be so blind to your hand at work among us, and why should you be so kind as to stay the angel of death? We deserve to die for our sins against you, yet to our poor souls you offer forgiveness. The teaching of Jesus is clear, His wisdom is of your perfect light, yet we question His miraculous presence in our midst. Holding to the earth we can see, we fail to recognize the glory we cannot see, the joy you bring us in being in the number of your holy ones. Staring too closely at what is at our hands, your transcendent Hand we miss, O LORD, even when He stands before us. The burden of our guilt take from us, LORD, that we might be free of the punishment we deserve, that by your angels we might be blessed.