In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance. "His disciples answered him, "Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?" Still he asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" They replied, "Seven." He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets. There were about four thousand people. He dismissed the crowd and got into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.
REFLECTION
My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat.
We can relate to family outings. You pack drinks, snacks, sandwiches, cookies, chips, fruits and whatever else is in the house and enough to last the trip. With my family, many times, the snacks were gone by the time we arrived at the destination. After a few hours the kids are saying they are hungry! Imagine three days without food....
The people in the Gospel were so attracted to Jesus that they stayed with him for three days. They had no food and if they travelled they would collapse on the way home. Jesus knew their physical needs but He also knew of a deeper need.
Knowing that people may get discouraged or struggle spiritually when they are at crossroads or when their faith is not strong, Jesus shows compassion and pity. He will provide our physical and spiritual needs.
Will the apostles stretch their faith and trust Jesus to provide? Jesus will give us the miracle of miracles: the Word becoming flesh and dwell among us.
In Eucharistic tones Jesus takes the bread, blesses the bread and gives back to them. He fed four thousand people and there were seven baskets left over.
We rejoice that God is so generous with us. We thank Him every day for the miracle of the Holy Eucharist. Meeting our family's needs includes feeding their bodies and nourishing their souls. That is our primary vocation.
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