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 Apostles?
- This word, apostello, makes its one and only appearance in Mark (6:30). Earlier in 6:7,
Mark says that Jesus began to "send" (infinitive form, apostellein) the twelve
out two by two; here, however, the word is a technical term for an emissary who was sent
with a message and who was required to return to report to the one who had sent her/him.
Eremos? - Jesus invites the returning apostles to join him in a
deserted place to rest a bit. The word used is erêmos, which refers to any uninhabited
place. Where are these uninhabited places in Mark? In Mark 1:12-13, erêmos was the place
of testing. Later in the chapter, erêmos was for Jesus a prayer cell (1:35). Its last
appearance happens in the leper story (1:45). In a remarkable reversal, Jesus restores a
leper to society while he must remain out in the erêmos. But in Mark’s gospel even
the uninhabited areas will draw a crowd when Jesus is there; such is the case in Mark 6
where the crowds have darted ahead of them.
Balancing Act - This story, at least theologically, provides a balance
between proclamation and pastoral care. We have too often made these two qualities of
Christian faith enemies. But we see Jesus balancing both as equally important to the
Church. "A community that has the same compassion for the suffering that Jesus
exhibited cannot be content with only preaching the gospel to the already converted.
Christians must also attempt to meet the pressing social and material needs of others,
even if few of those who receive such services ever become members of the church."
[1]
 We all need vacations-especially
workaholic Americans-from time to time. Recall one break from work that was especially
refreshing to you and greatly needed.
If cost was not a consideration, where would you go to get away from it all? Imagine
the surprise of finally getting to your little get away only to discover that 5,000 people
are waiting for you to help them!
 I think the lectionary committee does
us a great disservice by omitting both of Mark’s feeding stories from the revised
common lectionary. We instead end up cutting our way around the story this Sunday to get
to the summary statements that enclose the feeding story.
Pull out your notes, materials, and research on the feeding of the multitude and share
what you believe to be Mark’s intention in including them in his gospel. Themes might
include Jesus as a Shepherd who takes care of his flock. You may see a nuance of meaning
between the story in Mark’s gospel and the theme of manna in the wilderness. Learning
points might include God’s initiative and human faith as a response. What is our
response to the story? Today it’s our turn to be fed at the Shepherd’s table.
How shall we leave this table?
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[1] The New Interpreter’s Bible VIII (Abingdon Press, 1995), page 602.
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