FIRST READING
John 4:7–10
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only–begotten Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 72:1–2, 3–4, 7–8
R. (see 11) Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king's son; He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
The mountains shall yield peace for the people, and the hills justice. He shall defend the afflicted among the people, save the children of the poor.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. May he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
ALLELUIA
Luke 4:18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
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.
REFLECTIONS:
What can satisfy the deepest hunger you experience? When Jesus saw people in hunger and want, he gave them more than they ever expected. Do you approach the Lord with the expectation that he can satisfy you as well? Of all the miracles Jesus did, the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fishes is the only one which is repeated in all four gospels. A great crowd of people had gathered to hear Jesus because they were hungry for God's word. Jesus’disciples wanted to send the crowd away at the end of the day because they did not have the resources to feed them. They even complained how much money it would take to feed such a crowd -- at least six month’s wages! Jesus did the unthinkable. He took the little food they had -- only five loaves and two fish -- and giving thanks to his heavenly Father, distributed this small portion to the whole crowd. To the amazement of all, there was more than enough food for everyone present. And they ate until there were satisfied of their hunger. The twelve disciples took up what was left over, twelve baskets full of fish and loaves, so that nothing would be wasted.What is the significance of this miracle? The miraculous feeding of such a great multitude pointed to God's provision of manna in the wilderness for the people of Israel under Moses' leadership. This food foreshadowed the true heavenly bread which Jesus would offer his followers. Jesus makes a claim only God can make: He is the true bread of heaven that can satisfy the deepest hunger we experience. The feeding of the five thousand shows the remarkable generosity of God and his great kindness towards us. In the multiplication of the loaves and fishes we see a sign and a symbol of what God always does. When God gives, he gives abundantly. He gives more than we need for ourselves that we may have something to share with others, especially those who lack what they need. God takes the little we have and multiplies it for the good of others. Do you trust in God's provision for you and do you share freely with others, especially those who are in need or want?"Lord Jesus Christ, you satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts and you feed us with the finest of wheat (Psalm 81:16). Fill me with gratitude for your blessings and give me a generous heart that I may freely share with others what you have given to me."
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