Gospel: Mark 8:1-10
Soon afterward, Jesus was in the midst of another large crowd, that obviously had nothing to eat. So he called his disciples and said to them, “I feel sorry for these people, because they have been with me for three days and now have nothing to eat. If I send them to their homes hungry, they will faint on the way; some of them have come a long way.”
His disciples replied, “Where, in a deserted place like this, could we get enough bread to feed these people?” He asked them, “How many loaves have you?” And they answered, “Seven.” Then he ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Taking the seven loaves and giving thanks, he broke them, and handed them to his disciples to distribute. And they distributed them among the people. They also had some small fish. So Jesus said a blessing, and asked that these be shared as well.
The people ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. Now those who had eaten were about four thousand in number. Jesus sent them away, and immediately got into the boat with his disciples, and went to the region of Dalmanutha.
Reflection:
Jesus feels and cares for us.
Saint Mark presents us with a compassionate and merciful Jesus. Seeing the large crowd of hungry people who had been with Him for three days pierced His heart and prompted Him to perform His second miracle, the multiplication of loaves and fish. He does not see their hunger as a burden but an opportunity to care for them. This tells us that Jesus is never blind to human suffering; He feels and cares for us.
Jesus’ compassion challenges us to do likewise. Just as the disciples offered the little they had, we could share our time, talent, and treasure to help others. Jesus continually feeds us not with bread for our physical needs but with the bread of life for our spiritual needs in the Holy Eucharist, nourishing us to continue His mission by being charitable. Let us remember that no single act of kindness is ever wasted when done with love.
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