Problem Thinking Solution

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin
Readings: 1 Kgs 12:26-32; 13:33-34; PS 106:6-7ab, 19-20, 21-22; Mk 8:1-10

Notes

A. Jeroboam thought to himself: I have a problem. And he found a way to make the problem something else. He made the problem an advantage for the people.
B. Jesus spoke to his disciples: They have a problem. And he made a way to make the problem solved in a most marvelous way. He made the problem a way to serve and to provide divine care for the people in truth.

Two men. Two different ways of thinking.

Jeroboam was in competition with Rehoboam for the hearts and minds of the people. He worried that the people as a consequence of true divine worship would realign their allegiance to Rehoboam, King of Judah. So he contrived an entire new religion out of whole cloth. The king made two calves of gold and said to the people: Here is your God. He paid the people with power (assignment to the priesthood) and with convenience (new false temples in Bethel and in Dan). The people were hooked.

1. Work, high pay and honors.
2. Convenience and contrived problem.
3. Easier and simple: I alone can fix it.

This is the way of a charlatan. His motives are not the motives to protect people or lead them to worship in holiness. His desire was for power and kingdom. He converts his needs into the desires (contrived desires, impulsive desires) of the people. Simply put, he paid them off. Here are some jobs. Here are some convenience. Here is liberation from Jerusalem and the Lord. I will give you a new Lord.

The second example from our gospel portion today. Jesus was moved with concern for the people, not for himself. Jesus described a real problem not a contrived one. Jesus relied upon his disciples (seven loaves and a few fish). Jesus shared his superabundant power to make 4,000 eat from so little a provision – generosity and gratitude.

Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.”

His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?” Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They replied, “Seven.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.

Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets. There were about four thousand people.

Summary

In 2024 the people of the United States will pick a new leader. If Jesus was running for office maybe we wouldn’t have a problem. but he did not desire to be made king. He desired to make us better people and find salvation and a home with the Lord. Together. With generosity and gratitude.

I am quite certain who the charlatan is by way of the story of Jeroboam, his motives and his actions. Rehoboam was no saint either, but he did not foment rebellion and play to the vanity of others in false worship. The situation is not ideal.

Reflection

Generosity and gratitude are the two attributes to look for in a leader, not pandering to a manipulative contrived need.

Personal Reflection

I am trying my best to stay out of politics this year. The degree of misinformation and disinformation is legend. Yet it is clear the character of the person in this modern day seems to have no importance yet it is the primary importance. Jesus picked the way of cooperation and shared burden to bring about actual relief to the people. Pick well, America. This may be the last time you get to authentically pick.

First Reading

Jeroboam’s Cultic Innovations.

Jeroboam thought to himself:

If now this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem, the hearts of this people will return to their master, Rehoboam, king of Judah, and they will kill me.” After taking counsel, the king made two calves of gold and said to the people: “You have been going up to Jerusalem long enough. Here is your God, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” And he put one in Bethel, the other in Dan. This led to sin, because the people frequented those calves in Bethel and in Dan.

Responsorial

Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

They forgot the God who had saved them,
who had done great deeds in Egypt,
Wondrous deeds in the land of Ham,
terrible things at the Red Sea.

Gospel Acclamation

One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Gospel

The Feeding of the Four Thousand.

In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.”

Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets. There were about four thousand people.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry