Lessons of Love: Understanding Mark 6:34-44

Greetings on this the Tuesday after Epiphany
Readings: 1 John 4:7-10; Psalm 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8; Mark 6:34-44

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins (1st John)

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.” (Gospel Mark, ff).

He said to them in reply, “Give them some food yourselves.”

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.

Reflection

In our gospel portion we are taught how to love. It is clear the disciplines began to have an emerging, ordinary care and concern for all the people who are following Jesus. They were in fact concerned about their health. It’s late, deserted place (no food trucks yet) and the practical answer is to disperse them to the local villages so they can take care of themselves. No doubt this is a good sign about the disciples spiritual growth – a new way of viewing their life in response to their encounter with the Christ.

Jesus wants them to grow spiritually much more. Give them some food yourselves.

The disciples go about inventorying the available bread (their own supply, the supply of others in the crowd willing to share). A great starting point! Disciples and the people bring the gift of so little to the Lord!! Yes! Growth!!.

Jesus performs the Feeding of the Five Thousand miracle multiplication.

Then Jesus, still teaching the disciples, gives them the food to give to the people.

They all ate and were satisfied.

At the time I am sure the disciples were amazed. And how much more so for us having the advantage of looking back historically and the Eucharistic Banquet we celebrate every Mass. He is teaching us to share his gifts. Always teaching us to share.

The reading from First John allows us to embrace the ultimate sharing: forgiveness and the expiation for sins.

Poetic version: He said to them in reply, “Give them some forgiveness and expiation yourselves.”

Therefore my brothers and sisters, depending on your spiritual journey you can begin with helping the poor with food banks and spare change and that is definitely good! Like the disciples in today’s story we are invited to grow spiritually whatever our starting point. And enter into the miracle of sharing forgiveness and expiation.

Catechism: 618 The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the “one mediator between God and men”. But because in his incarnate divine person he has in some way united himself to every man, “the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery” is offered to all men. He calls his disciples to “take up [their] cross and follow [him]”, for “Christ also suffered for [us], leaving [us] an example so that [we] should follow in his steps.” In fact Jesus desires to associate with his redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first beneficiaries. This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more intimately than any other person in the mystery of his redemptive suffering.

Personal Reflection

The Feeding of the Five Thousand. The Forgiving of the Five Thousand and the The Expiation for the Five Thousand.

Sounds massive! Me? Sounds impossible! Well, yes, ‘you-me’. And Jesus. When you give Jesus permission to satisfy, heal and aid people through you, that is exactly what he’ll do. It’s you and Jesus. You make a good team.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010725.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry