These chapters are packed with things worth blogging about….

Firstly John the Baptist is killed by Herod.

Then Jesus feeds the 5000 using five small loaves and two fishes. It is such a lovely story. Jesus is moved by pity for the people who have followed him all day to hear what he says. He decides to feed them, and does so. OF course he thanks his Father in heaven for the little food he has, then breaks it. There is enough left over to fill baskets and baskets. It is a nourishing tale because it tells us what can happen when we give Jesus our little gifts. He then turns them into huge blessings.

Later, Jesus is again told off by the Pharisees for not washing his hands before eating. But Jesus says “It is not what goes into a person’s mouth that makes him unclean. Rather it is what comes out of it makes him unclean.”

Then they question whether Jesus has paid his temple tax. He tells Peter to go fishing and look inside the mouth of the first fish he catches: inside is the exact amount for the temple tax.

Jesus again tells the Pharisee that the only miracle THEY will see out of him is the miracle of Jonah: where he disappears into death for three days and then comes back.

Finally, importantly, the transfiguration, where the three select disciples see Jesus with Moses and Elijah, and they hear God say “This is my own dear son with whom I am pleased – listen to him.”

Dear God, Please help me to remember to always give you your gifts, the gifts you want me to give you, and then please use them to be a blessing to all those around me. Thank you for our lovely afternoon in A’s allotment. Thank you for the fresh potatoes, for the roasted marshmallows, for the tea and biscuits and for the open air prayer. In Jesus’ name, Amen