REFLECTIONS TODAY
Jesus is led to feed the multitude on several occasions out of His compassion for them. It is not a shallow and sentimental form of pity but a deep conviction that compels one to reach out to a needy neighbor. Jesus’ kind gesture comes from the heart of the good shepherd who is moved with pity for people who are like sheep without a shepherd, listless and without direction. Pope Francis writes: “If something should rightly disturb us and trouble our consciences, it is the fact that so many of our brothers and sisters are living without the strength, light and consolation born of friendship with Jesus Christ” (Evangelii Gaudium, 49).
Gospel • MARK 8:1-10
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.
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