Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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.

I feel sorry for them

1. Compassion. Jesus’s heart was moved with pity for the people. This is an important lesson: we must be compassionate and considerate of others, especially those searching for God’s word. This doesn’t only apply to priests, but to everyone within the Church and the community. We should be attentive to the needs of our brothers and sisters, remembering that they also make sacrifices, face hardships, and endure struggles. One of the main duties of a shepherd is to make life easier for others, help them overcome difficulties, and never be indifferent to their situation.
2. Making the most of what’s available. Jesus doesn’t resolve every problem by Himself; He wants others to participate. Don’t expect Jesus to do everything for you—you need to contribute as well. You must also give of yourself. Your time and efforts, no matter how small, become significant with Jesus. Don’t be like the student who prays for a miracle to pass an exam but never makes an effort to study, or like the person who asks God for a good job but doesn’t even begin searching for one. Do your part so God can do His!
3. Fulfillment. Jesus provides and satisfies; He desires for everyone to be nourished and to leave in peace. Yet, it is through everyone’s combined effort that true fulfillment is achieved. Jesus sure knows how to work as a team! Today, remember you don’t have to solve every problem or carry every burden alone. Seek God’s help and work together with others, because if you are individualistic and act only from your own perspective others might be left wanting.

Remember that something good is on the way!

God bless you and keep you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.