1 Kgs 12:26-32; 13:33-34
Psalm 106:6-7ab, 19-20, 21-22
Mark 8: 1-10 Full Readings
His heart was moved with Pity
Whose heart are we talking about? Jesus' heart was moved with pity as we see in today's gospel which presents the miracle of feeding four thousand people. The large crowd which had followed Jesus spent three days without physical food, and at last Jesus really had pity on them and asked his disciples to give them food. Those who followed Jesus had forgotten to eat or to otherwise provide for themselves for three days! How compelling must Christ have been! They had chosen the company of Christ over meeting their most basic needs. This passage reveals some interesting points to reflect upon. Let’s look briefly at three of them.
Firstly, is the unwavering perseverance and interest of the crowd to sit back at Jesus feet to listen to him and be feed spiritually; indeed it is the challenge for us. How long are we willing to sacrifice our time and listen to the word of God and detach from all worldly things even physical food. For example, how many of us are willing to fast even for a day so that we have quality time with Jesus? or even sacrifice our time everyday to read and listen to his word and receive from the Lord's table everyday? We have the privilege of consuming the Bread of Life every day if we choose to. May our hearts, so often dulled by routine, be set aflame anew as we listen to Christ’s preaching and are fed at his table in every Mass.
Secondly, and the most important lesson, is that our perseverance, our everyday coming at the feet of Jesus and communicate with him, our cries towards him as the only remedy of all our problems, and our humble penitent heart can move Jesus to have pity on us and hear us. This does not mean that Jesus' mind can be changed or that sometimes he is merciful and sometimes, he is not, it only means that Jesus is waiting for our perseverance, for us calling him and showing him that he is the only and sole redeemer in all that we do. This automatically makes his mercy flow to us and in abundance, for when God gives, he gives surplus. When we persevere during trials or temptations and “remain in him” (John 15:4), Christ himself sees to our needs. He knows our exact circumstances (how far we’ve come and how hungry we are) and has proven in word and deed that he cannot be outdone in generosity. We can trust him.
Thirdly, it is important to note that after Jesus saw people hungry, he did not immediately preform the miracle but turned to his disciples to do something, a way of teaching them to always feel pity and have mercy to his people, and more still inviting them in his mission of serving the hungry. He chose, as he does today, to invite people to be missionaries to feed the hungry. “How many loaves do you have?” he asked his disciples. He asks us as well. We answer by dedicating our time, talents, and treasures to Christ in works of apostolate. In the name of Christ, Pope Francis exhorts us: “Please, do not leave it to others to be protagonists of change. You are the ones who hold the future! Jesus was not a bystander. He got involved. Don’t stand aloof, but immerse yourselves in the reality of life, as Jesus did. Above all, in one way or another, fight for the common good, serve the poor, be protagonists of the revolution of charity and service, capable of resisting the pathologies of consumerism and superficial individualism.” (Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Christus Vivit 174).
Reflect today on these three things: Firstly, are you drawn to Jesus with such intensity that He becomes the central focus of your life and your longing for Him flood your heart and consume your soul? Second, are you aware of the deep concern that Jesus has for you and that His heart is “moved with pity” for you every day? Third, are you able to allow the love and compassion that Jesus offers to you, in turn be offered to others and are you able to recognise of the needs of others? Do their need bring pity in you and do you do something? With these, you will Christ to others.
Let us Pray
Lord, thank you for your willingness to feed me constantly with grace through the sacraments. I sometimes greedily seek your blessings, forgetting that everything is meant to be shared. Strengthen me, Lord, and purify my intentions so that I become a willing and effective apostle for you. Amen
Be blessed
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