The Ordinary

One of the readings yesterday had Jesus healing the woman of hemorrhage (she merely touched His cloak and He knew that 'power had gone out of Him') and He raised a young girl from the dead. The last words were: He told them to give her something to eat.

How wonderful! I'll bet Jesus enjoyed eating -- so many important things in the Gospels involve food, either as a key ingredient of the event or as context. Isn't it wonderful that Jesus, who was both human and divine would think of food at a time like that? How pastoral/paternal of Him to consider such a prosaic need. 

I think He was also acknowledging the family's need to celebrate the return of their little girl. He admonished them to 'tell no one what has happened here' as He often did after performing a miracle, but then He told them to bring food. Knowing the little I do of Jewish culture, you can believe it wouldn't be just a hunk of dried bread and some water. And there would probably be music, too!

We can sometimes get sidetracked with God, and we may become concerned with wrapping our selves in pious language when talking with Him. God of the Universe He is, and proper awe and distance is good in our dealings with Him; but He is also our brother, Jesus Christ, and God our father. Those are familial relationships. God created us, as in He created human beings along with the world and all its wonders; but He also created us, as in Tess, 100acrewood, Carly, Anita, Sharon -- individually. He knows my most basic, ordinary needs, and He knows the desires of my heart. I am concerned with the salvation of my soul -- but Jesus also knows that as well as life, I need food... and a little celebration.