March 2, 2015

Mark 6:30-34

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 

Come close … and know

Sheep without a shepherd do not know where to find food or safety. So I suppose it is not surprising that these few words are followed by the story of Jesus breaking bread and giving it to the crowd. There was enough for everyone with plenty left over.

That’s the point. Jesus has enough for me, for you, with plenty left over, and the bread he breaks is the teaching, words of truth and grace that come from his depths … and give us his life.

His invitation is the same today as then: “Come close … and know me. You will know a glow of grace that illumines your soul and tells you your life is treasured and safe in the arms of the Mystery who made you and all that is.

“Come close. That which is in me will feed you and fill the empty place within, the lonely place where you do not know who you are or what life is about.

“Come close … and know … there is a love and mystery here that defies every attempt to explain it, a Presence that revives the soul and makes every day fresh and new, filled with hope.”

Life and hope start by coming near, bringing the hunger of our days … and hearing what he says, so the emptiness within may be fed and filled by him.

That’s is why I am here again by radiant candle. It’s an old story by now. I come to be fed, my soul made alive, filled with light and my eyes with tears by this Jesus who looks with compassion not only on crowds long ago but on me.

Every morning he invites me to come close and know. So I pray and write, I read of him and find him, too, in the wonder of full hearts … who know what I know, who know who he is and feel the wonder of what is him.

I come close … so I may always know and never forget.

Pr. David L. Miller