At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there.
Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them.
The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.
Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.”
The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?”
Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.”
He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.
Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.
Give of yourself
1) He sat down. Jesus has the ability to look at the whole picture; to think and discern from what He sees. Today you have to work the way Jesus does… slow down and look where you’re headed! Sit down for a while and see where your life is going. Consider whether or not what you are doing is making you happy, and whether the people you are with are truly making a contribution to your life. Look at those around you, think of the questions, objections and requirements they make . Consider also what you question yourself about; what your complaints are about yourself . Reflect on these complaints against you, and consider the people who want to be with you; those who need you. Look at the whole picture and not just part of it – not only the negative aspects; not only all the positive ones… but review the entire situation. Sit down, consider, and discern.
2) He cures. Jesus heals and helps others. As Christians, you and I have been called to heal because many people are hurt, beaten, -and tired! At this point of the year everything becomes uphill, but we have Jesus and, therefore, Peace. The only thing that cures all the pain caused by the world is Peace in your heart. Take with you today: peace to heal; that peace that is reached through prayer; and the conversation that you have with God. You can receive that Peace of heart through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and confession. You can help others, even sitting with someone in need and really listening to them. Don’t stop alleviating the pain of others, many people today are suffering.
3) Compassion. Jesus cares about others, and he is attentive to needs of others. This is what we have to take care of as a Church. I encourage all of you who belong to a group or movement within the Church, to show compassion please! Let’s not be a cold, harsh organization. Jesus wants us to be a family. Let’s go out to comfort people who are suffering and let’s be close to them. Let’s not generate hunger for God because of our bureaucracy. Let’s stop fishing in the fishbowl, just trying to evangelize those who are already in the Church. We must go out and announce Jesus to others with closeness, understanding, and empathy… person to person and with the humility of God’s children. Let’s go out to others, to those in need! There are many needy people in this world… many suffering from spiritual hunger.
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Heaven is our goal!
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