From His heart

In the 'dog days of summer' the lessons continue.  Here is the second offering in the category of sermuncle (those shortened reflections that say little but leave us with much to be pondered).

The human heart of Jesus

Today’s gospel gives us a particularly interesting opportunity to peer into the heart of Jesus.  It begins by telling us that when he heard of the death of John the Baptist, he went away to a place where he could be by himself.  John was not just another friend, he was actually a relative.  Remember that Jesus’ mother Mary and John’s mother Elizabeth were related.  That makes Jesus and John relatives as well.  Anyone who has lived the experience of death and mourning will understand his reaction.  When we are faced with tragedy, it’s normal for the human heart to want to retreat, but the lesson for us today is that Jesus didn’t stay hidden.  In fact, the crowds continued to seek him out until they found him, and his reaction reveals another aspect of his conviction, his compassion and his commitment.

Perhaps when he withdrew to this deserted place, he wanted to spend time in prayer.  He had already cultivated an intimate relationship with the Father, and perhaps he was seeking answers.  He would most certainly have been familiar with the writings of Isaiah.  Perhaps he too was longing to hear the words we have heard read to us today: All you who are thirsty, come to the water ... listen, that you may have life.  There is a call of compassion contained in these words, and a promise that no matter how bruised and battered the human spirit may be, there is always hope.

In his own time, the apostle Paul came to understand the power and promise of these words.  He himself then encouraged others to believe that there is absolutely nothing known to us, no anguish, no distress, no persecution, no peril that will ever separate us from the love of God.   This promise stands today for our aching hearts.  It also beacons to the anguishing souls of those who are mourning in Norway, and to those who are being persecuted in places like Somalia and Sudan.  In a land of plenty, we may not be faced with material famine, but when our hearts are bruised by famines of other kinds, faith in Jesus gives us hope.  Come therefore, receive the food that he offers, and know that from his anguished heart, he was and is willing to feed us with the gift of the bread of life.