Matthew 15.1 Jesus Closes a Loophole

Exodus 17.1 Water from the Rock

Picking up from Chapter 16, the Manna is more than just the bread, but it is the meat from quail, a bird. We look back to Genesis 1:20-23 to understand John 6 as the sign of the Eucharist as foreshadowed in Exodus 16. Birds "swim" in the waters above the earth and the fish swim in the waters below the earth. We look at Chapter 17 and the Water from the Rock. We turn to St. Paul to gain insight into the significance of the water from the Rock. God provides for the Israelites despite them murmuring and testing God. This testing of God is remembered in Psalm 95, which is read every day in the invitatory of the Liturgy of the hours.

Matthew 15.3 Faith or Lineage

Jesus explains the parable to Peter who is dull in understanding. Jesus explains this so Peter can understand and we hear from Jerome and Augustine. Augustine displays a detailed understanding of the operation of the natural operations of the body. Jesus then leaves and goes to Sidon and Tyre, Gentile lands, Oh no! But is Jesus doing anything that should scandalize the Jews? We look back to the Old Testament to gain insight on Jesus' movement into Gentile lands.

Exodus 16.1 What is it?

The Israelites murmur once again against Moses and in their hunger and murmuring God provides the manna; but what is it? We look to the Psalms, Wisdom and the Fathers to gain insight into what this manna or manhu (Hb.) actually is. Lastly we look to the Gospel of John as Jesus tells us exactly what the manna was and is.

Matthew 15.2 Stomach or Heart?

Jesus explains what defiles a man and it is not what enters, but what comes out of man's mouth as that reveals what resides in his heart. We hear from St. John Chrysostom and St. Jerome. We also look to Genesis and Acts of the Apostles in unpacking this saying to the Pharisees and Scribes who are offended by Jesus' speech. Jesus cautions the multitude about following those that are blind (do not understand) the Law of God.

15.2 Beside Restful Waters

The Song of Miriam is still echoing in the heads of the Hebrews, just after God rescues them from the Egyptian Army, so that Egypt never again threatens them again, and three days later, they murmur against Moses and God; again, now for the second time. They reach an oasis, but the waters are bitter and not drinkable. Moses cries to God and is shown a tree which Moses throws into the water to make it sweet. What are we to make of this? We hear from St. Ambrose, Tertullian, Origen, St. Jerome and Cyril of Alexandria for insight into these events.