Daily Word Of God
Mark 6:34-37a, 38, 41 & 44
As Jesus stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length. By now it was getting very late, and his disciples came up to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place and it is getting very late, so send them away, and they can go to the farms and villages round about, to buy themselves something to eat.’
He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves.’ Then he asked, ‘How many loaves have you? Go and see.’ And when they had found out they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’ Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing; then he broke the loaves and began handing them to his disciples to distribute among the people. He also shared out the two fish among them all. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- In today’s Gospel, the crowd was hungry and Jesus took pity on them. The disciples told Jesus to send them away as it was a “lonely place and it was getting very late.”
- However, Jesus’ compassion went beyond being aware of the hunger and needs of the people. Jesus responded by asking His disciples to feed them.
- Are we aware of the suffering people around us? How often do we feel compassion for them, yet do nothing to lighten their sufferings?