When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late...."
Although Saint Mark opens this story with, "...he began to teach them many things," he immediately directs our attention to Jesus's feeding the vast crowd in the wilderness. In fact, the Lord teaches by feeding. If they would hear the Word of God, they need food in their bellies by the Mercy of God. His preaching and feeding are one and the same thing.
The handbooks that priests use for funerals, baptisms, and ministry to the sick assume this intimate relation of sacred word and sacred sign. Even a brief graveside service begins with a reading of one or two sentences from the scripture. I have encouraged Eucharistic Ministers to read a sentence or two from the day's liturgy, before they recite the Our Father and offer the Blessed Sacrament to the sick and shut-in. God wants to feed his people with his Word; the ministers of these mysteries can do no less than enunciate the Word.
Readers of God's Word during the Mass should work arduously first toward understanding what they read, and then enunciating each syllable of each word. The reading doesn't have to be dramatic. Pay first attention to pacing, reading each sentence slowly with ample pauses between each sentence and paragraph. Some passages often change direction in the middle, or a different speaker appears. The oral reading should reflect those changes. Since the pandemic has deprived me of a reader during the hospital Masses, I have discovered through my own interpretation of these passages (to an impassive television camera) intense drama in the first and second readings. It's there; the community should hear it.
In today's first reading, for instance, people should hear the incredible import of, "In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins." This sentence from the First Letter of Saint John challenges everyone who thinks their good deeds and their piety should win them salvation. The words, "sent his Son as expiation for our sins," might bring tears to our eyes.
God wants to speak to his people. Let nothing stand in the way.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.