By Brandon, CSC –
Readings: 1Jn 4:7-10; Mk 6:34-44
Feeding of five thousand is one of the Jesus’ best miracles, which led people to believe in his divinity and power. People of his time were able to recognize him as divine or from God, because he was fully human. He showed no discrimination, his disciples were chosen from among the ordinary people and was gentle with women and children. His humanness was vivid for all of them present in deserted place.
First and foremost, when Jesus saw the people, he had compassion on them because they did not have anyone to liberate them from the social clutches. He taught them values of God’s kingdom. His humanness was heightened when he thought about the need of another human person. It is the same in our lives too, when people appreciate you and me for our gentleness or humanness. It is not because we have done great things to them, but when we fulfill their basic needs: like giving monthly ration to the poor and educating someone in their family.
Jesus too knew that people had nothing to eat. If he was to send them with their empty stomach his entire teaching would be in vain. In feeding five thousand he showed them, how to be compassionate in action. The present situation of our society indicates to us that we are gradually devaluing our humanness. The liturgy of the word is a wakeup call for all of us to question our reality.