Daily Reflection for Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Tuesday’s readings at this link:
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/010720.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: 1 John 4:7-10
Responsorial: Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8
Gospel: Mark 6: 34-44
Our reflection on Tuesday’s readings:
“How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out they said, “Five loaves and two fish.” Mark 6:38
Both Jesus and the Apostles felt pity for the people. Jesus felt pity because the people were “like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.” The Apostles felt pity on the people because they needed food and “it was a deserted place and it is already very late.”
The story of Jesus feeding thousands of people with only a basket of bread and two fish is in all four Gospels. We can appreciate the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves of bread and fish as a miracle from God. Perhaps a bigger miracle is that thousands of people had followed Jesus and listened to him all day without any thought of their evening meal. Jesus was feeding them all day with his wisdom and love, and they felt nourished with their spiritual banquet.
Before the Apostles served the meager portions of bread and fish to the thousands, Jesus looked up to heaven, gave thanks, and blessed them. The abundance of the multiplication of the loaves happened after the blessed prayer of thanks. For me, contentment with material gifts of food, clothing, and shelter is directly related to my gratitude for them; prayers of gratitude bring peace to my heart. Similarly, our family journey back to the Church started with regular prayers of gratitude before our evening meal together. I think that was the spark that lit the flame of my spiritual journey to become a Deacon.
There were probably only a few loaves of bread at the Last Supper when Jesus instituted the Eucharist as His Body and Blood in the blessed bread and wine. As a Deacon, I feel blessed to be in such intimate proximity to the consecration of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus at Mass. As a minister of the cup I feel connected to the Apostles who helped distribute the five loaves to the disciples when offering the Blood of Christ to our parishioners.
Today Mass is celebrated around the world, and His Body and Blood feed billions of people. This multiplication is the miracle for which we give thanks to God. Let us always show our gratitude and love for Jesus, the Bread of life. Amen.
Deacon John McShea