We read in
the Gospel of Matthew that Jesus cured persons who could barely walk, whose
eyes didn’t work, whose joints were misshapen, and whose speech was held
back. "They placed
them at his feet, and he cured them." (Matthew 15: 29-37). In Isaiah, the mortality of the people, the
sentence of death under which we all live, is cancelled; "the
web that is woven over all nations" and the "reproach of his people will be
removed.” (Isaiah
25:6-10)
Our human
curiosity and desire to know drive us to ask, "how did Jesus do
that?" How does Jesus bring healing
into our lives? How did Jesus satisfy
the hunger of thousands on the Galilean mountainside overlooking the Sea of
Galilee? Surreptitiously, we pass into
the skepticism that makes us want to know "how". Perhaps if we only knew how Jesus performed His
saving miracles, then we might be better positioned to share in His healing, in
His satisfying of our hungers, in His gift of everlasting life. Perhaps if we knew "how" Jesus
performed these wonders, then we might better believe that He is truly
"the Son of God."
Upon
reflection, I think both of these Scripture readings show us the desperation that
so many people experience, and the questions are asked: “where can we be
satisfied? What or who can satisfy us?”
The answer? God’s love.
Imagine
God’s joy in providing for us. I love the emphasis in Isaiah: “The
Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast” - not just food and wine but juicy,
rich food and pure, choice wines. God goes all out!
God’s love
is inclusive, feeding all even in deserted, empty places. With leftovers! No one is left out. Not the poor, not the
sinner, not the lukewarm, not the “fallen away,” not the spiritually proud. No one.
God’s love
is real, even practical, feeding us in our hunger until all are satisfied.
God’s love
is above all tender, personal, individual, wiping away the tears from all
peoples’ faces.
It’s a good
thing to remember in this unique year.
Especially in this unique year.
May we all
go and do likewise.
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