#jesusfeedsthefivethousand

January 05, 2021, Tuesday Tuesday after Epiphany (White) CYCLE B - YEAR I RDGS: 1 JN 4:7-10/ PS 72:1-2. 3-4. 7-8 GOSPEL: MK 6:34-44

When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, "This is a deserted place and it is already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat." He said to them in reply, "Give them some food yourselves." But they said to him, "Are we to buy two hundred days' wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?" He asked them, "How many loaves do you have?  Go and see." And when they had found out they said, "Five loaves and two fish." So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass. The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties. Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. Those who ate of the loaves were five thousand men.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Their hopes were dashed when they found thousands there ahead of them. Out of compassion Jesus puts the people’s needs first. He calls on the Twelve to share their food, to serve these thousands and then to ensure no food is wasted. Serious lessons that with their hard hearts they were slow to take in.

The feeding of the five thousand speaks of the generosity of God and his kindness towards us. When God gives, he gives abundantly. He gives us more than we need for ourselves so that we can share with those who lack what they need.

PRAYER: