Given that the gospel-readings for the Sundays of this year have been consistently taken from Mark, we might justifiably have expected today’s gospel-reading to be Mark’s account of Jesus’ first miracle of the loaves. Moreover, last Sunday’s gospel-reading clearly seemed to be preparing us for that. However, those who compile the lectionary have inexplicably turned our attention this Sunday and next to John’s account of Jesus’ miracle of the loaves and its sequel.

Today’s gospel-reading recounts another object-lesson in ministering which Jesus gave the Twelve. Fresh back from their very first experience of ministering to people, they were clearly excited to give him an account of their experience. Jesus, however, saw that they needed time and space to calm down and relax, so he suggested that they all go off to a secluded spot away from the crowds demanding their attention. But guessing correctly where they were headed, many went on ahead on foot and were there to meet them when they came ashore. Jesus immediately recognised their need and put it ahead of his plan to take the Twelve for a well-earned break.

Today’s first reading comes from Amos, an 8th Century BC prophet who was one in a long line of prophets to Israel. Taking on the role of prophet was a tall order for those who were persuaded to do it because it meant challenging people who had slipped away from worshipping God and fallen into feathering their own nests at the expense of poor people whom they robbed and exploited. Inevitably, prophets found themselves having to shake the cages of leaders who had turned a blind eye to the injustices going on around them and even joined in at making themselves rich and comfortable by robbing the poor and vulnerable themselves.

Today’s gospel-reading, which describes Jesus’ cure of the woman suffering from chronic haemorrhaging and the raising of Jairus’ young daughter from death, might lull us into thinking that Jesus’ endless kindness and compassion boosted his popularity enormously. However, even a cursory reading of Mark’s Gospel reveals that Jesus received mixed receptions almost everywhere he went.

A characteristic of all four Gospel writers was that they did not waste words or use them idly. So, I found myself wondering why Mark noted that, after Jesus had suggested to the Apostles that they take a boat trip “to the other side” of the Sea of Galilee, “they took him just as he was”. Mark left it to his readers to work out for themselves the meaning of “just as he was”. My guess is that Jesus was totally exhausted after teaching six parables in succession. He had presented the Parable of the Sower to a large crowd and had then done his best to explain the meaning of that parable to the Twelve. He went on to teach them five more parables and found himself frustrated by their inability to grasp what he had done his best to teach them. So, having suggested a boat trip to the other side of the lake, as though it would be a relaxing and enjoyable excursion, he climbed into the boat and, understandably, quickly fell asleep.