the blind, the lame, the crippled, and many with other infirmities. People carried them to the
feet of Jesus, and he healed them. All were astonished when they saw the dumb speaking,
the lame walking, the crippled healed, and the blind able to see; and they glorified the God
of Israel. Jesus called his disciples and said to them, “I am filled with compassion for these
people; they have already followed me for three days and now have nothing to eat. I do not
want to send them away fasting, or they may faint on the way.” His disciples said to him,
“And where shall we find enough bread in this wilderness to feed such a crowd?” Jesus
said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They answered, “Seven, and a few small
fish.” Jesus ordered the people to sit on the ground. Then, he took the seven loaves and
the small fish, and gave thanks to God. He broke them and gave them to his disciples, who
distributed them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the leftover pieces filled
seven wicker baskets.
Reflect
“Jesus is filled with compassion.” There are two different events generally classified as the
feeding of the five thousand (Mk 6:31-44; Mt 14:13-21; Lk 9:12-17; Jn 6:1-14) and the
feeding of the four thousand (Mk 8:1-9; Mt 15:32- 39). Only Mark and Matthew have
accounts on the feeding of the four thousand. Today’s Gospel is the Matthean account,
which is basically a Markan material. In these parallel accounts, it was Jesus himself who
expressed that he had compassion for the people. Jesus did not want to send the people
away hungry for they may faint along the way. In his Encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis
challenges us to help resolve the age-old problem of disregarding the other by bringing
back our sense of care for one another (cf. FT 57). During this season of Advent, we
prepare ourselves to celebrate the great mystery of the incarnation – the ultimate salvific
act of God, when God communicated himself as the God who truly cares for us. In our
faith journey, God does not only sustain but also guides us in every step we make to
ensure that we shall arrive at our destination.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2024
