Abundance. Scripture, reflection and prayer.

Mark 8:1-10 "During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.
“Seven,” they replied.
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha."
Reflection. This marvellous miracle of feeding of four thousand people is rather less well known than the one where a child gives up his lunch and there is plenty of left-overs. Once again, this story is marked by the great compassion at the heart of Jesus's earthly ministry. The crowd had followed him for 3 days (interesting time length...). Jesus knew they would be exhausted for a journey home. So he fed them first before sending them home.

We are not thinking about feeding 4 thousand people. However, we do know there is a myriad of people who need Spiritual food.  We can offer that food to our friends and neighbours. We can  surely Find One to bring to Jesus.

Prayer. Compassionate Lord Jesus, please help me to be filled with your love and compassion this week. Amen.