Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 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.
Give them some food yourselves
1. Saw. It’s important to truly observe the reality of your life. Take a moment to reflect on your whole life – your family, friends, and personal journey. Consider what others genuinely need from you and how you can positively affect their lives. Sometimes, we fail to notice or understand situations, making it hard to empathize with others. We don’t step into someone else’s shoes either because we don’t notice their circumstances or choose to ignore them, continuing with our “automatic life” without realizing someone may need our help.
2. Dismiss them. Sometimes, like the apostles, we may seem well-intentioned but are actually focused on our own comfort, not considering the needs of others. Today, many of us in the Church fall into simply going through the motions in a state of mere compliance, not thinking about what others might be experiencing. We act as if people should just come, attend Mass, donate, and leave—and if they struggle in life, it’s up to them to handle it alone. But no, our brothers and sisters need each of us.
3. The Eucharist. The Eucharist is the nourishment that truly satisfies your soul. As followers of Jesus, we are called to guide those who are struggling in life to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist. Fill yourself with God so you can move forward; participate in Mass. Don’t let your opinion of the priest keep you away—the Eucharist is much more profound. Come to see Jesus, receive Him, and you will gain the strength to walk your life’s journey.
Remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
