SATURDAY, FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Memorial of Sts. Cyril and Methodius
1 Kgs 12: 26-32; 13: 33-34 Ps 106: 6-7, 19-22 Mk 8: 1-10
REMEMBER TO LET THE LORD FEED US
The Gospel today recalls one of the two great moments when Jesus feeds a multitude – about 4000 people. The gospel account has an ambience of a retreat: the people have followed Jesus into a deserted place and remained with Him for three days, absorbed in His words and presence. Their provisions have run out, but their faith remain. Seeing their perseverance, Jesus is moved with deep compassion. He recognizes their spiritual hunger as much as their physical need, and feels compassion. The disciples, however, think in purely practical terms. They see only the scarcity before them: mere seven loaves of bread and cannot imagine how it could suffice. But Jesus takes these few loaves, blesses them, and once again multiplies them to feed everyone present. The miracle is not only about bread; it reveals how God can transform our littleness into abundance when we entrust it to Him. The miracles of Jesus even though physical, aim to spiritually nourish the people. But the people forget. We all forget and we go astray.
Human memory is fragile. Like the Israelites of old, we too forget God’s wonders. The Psalm laments, “They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt” (Ps 106:21). Even the disciples, who had already witnessed the feeding of the five thousand, forgot. They are slow to understand that divine providence never fails. When we forget what the Lord has done, we lose our sense of direction and are easily drawn astray by distractions, desires, or worldly securities. The invitation, therefore, is to remember to recall in gratitude what the Lord has done and continues to do. Like those crowds in the wilderness, we too are called to draw near to Jesus, spend time with Him, listen, and receive from His hands. Christ alone satisfies the deepest hunger of the human heart. He continues to feed and strengthen us, especially in prayer and in the Eucharist, where His compassion becomes tangible and His presence abiding. In moments of emptiness or uncertainty, may we remember that the Lord still breaks the bread for us and that in His hands, even our little becomes more than enough.
Response: O Lord, remember me with the favour you show to your people.
Copyright ©2025 ©Springs of Living Water http://springs.carmelmedia.in