Daily Reflection – 1/9/2019
Sacred Scripture
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 12 wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. Those who ate of the loaves were 5,000 men. (Mark 6:34-44)
Reflection
Today, Jesus shows Himself to be sensitive to the needs of people who are in search of Him. He just cannot remain indifferent to the needs of those he meets on the way. He feels compassion when He sees the great crowd that has been following Him “like sheep without a shepherd”
We sometimes find it convenient to forget that Our Lord insists that we be part of the solution tackling the problems of our day. Many look at the issues that confront us and say, “I will pray for them.” Is that our response? Or will we quickly respond that it is too big a problem for us to tackle? Will we say that it is someone else’s problem? Will we plead the limited time we have or our age or our desire to stay nestled in our little cocoon?
Our Lord asks us to take responsibility, but he does not want us taking control. There is a difference: One is the steward in the mission—us; the other the owner—God. Taking responsibility means making the needs of souls and the Church our own. When Christ chooses us for a mission, he does not select us because he thinks we have what it takes, but rather because he knows he will give us all that we need. What does Christ ask when we face the impossible? Just give what we have––give it all and don’t hold back.
Our society is what it is today because too few of us have been willing to shoulder the burden. Too many of us find it far more comfortable to “tsk-tsk”, offer a prayer and move on. Too many of us see our human limitations and do not recognize the power of being united with God.
Prayer of The Day
Lord, the miracle of the loaves and fishes remind me that there is nothing that can’t be achieved when you are standing by me. Help me see your presence in my life. Help me to recognize that, no matter where I am on my personal journey, you ask me to take one more step in faith for you. Help me to be the servant to others as you are to me.
Daily Note
We know that if we give our lives to the Lord, he can divide and multiply it. We know that the Lord can do amazing things through us. We all know that the Lord is waiting with great anticipation for that day when I will lay down my life and give it to him so that he can give it to others. We know what it takes: faith, hope and love. The Lord provides his grace; we only need to respond to it. “The Lord has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives.” Today, he demands even more. To influence the lives of all the people we meet. I wish, I desire, I hunger to be a gift to others. With Him, all things are possible; nothing is ever wasted.
