Daily Reflection for Tuesday January 5 ,2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Tuesday’s readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010521.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: 1 John 4:7-10
Responsorial: Psalm 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8
Gospel: Mark 6:34-44
Our reflection on Tuesday’s readings:
“Give them some food yourselves.” Mark 6:37
Today's readings speak of love and truth. When I was growing up in the sixties, there was lots of talk about love. "Make love not war" and "Love the one you're with" were bantered about, which added confusion at best for an adolescent in search of truth and love. But sometimes, you would even hear "Love your neighbor" and "God is love," quoting Saint John's epistle from today's reading, which gave me a hint that love had multiple meanings. Appreciating the distinct uniqueness of the types of love would be a lifelong journey for me.
In today's Gospel, Jesus' heart is moved with pity for the people because they did not know the truth that God is Love, and so he "taught them many things." This teaching episode was not a fifteen-minute homily or even an hour-long CCD class. Jesus taught them all day and into the evening. When it was late the disciples tried to end the session, telling Jesus that it was late and the people needed to find food so they could eat something. Jesus' response of, "Give them some food yourselves," culminates in the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and thousands being fed.
This story of the loaves and fishes reminds me of Pope Francis. "Pray for the poor, then feed them. That is how it works." When Jesus tells his disciples to "Give them some food yourselves," he is also speaking to us today. Like you, I have been bombarded by requests for year-end donations from many charities. We are so abundantly blessed with Jesus' teaching that feeds our souls and nourishing food on our tables; perhaps the best way to show God's love is by giving what we can to feed those in need.
Blessings in the New Year,
Deacon John McShea