Tuesday after the
Epiphany
(I John 4:7-10; Mark 6:34-44)
Eating until all “were satisfied” describes many households
after the Christmas holidays. But perhaps
eating until all were more than satisfied
tells a more accurate story. Many feel
relieved that holiday goodies are finally diminished. Now they can more easily control their diet. It may seem that today’s gospel’s feeding story
is primarily about food. But the fare
that Jesus provides is really greater.
Jesus sees that the people are in need of
instruction. They are lost like “sheep
without a shepherd.” He spends the day
teaching them “many things.” Much more
than giving catechism answers, he teaches them how to live righteously. That is, he instructs them how to love wisely
both God and neighbor. The story of the
feeding comes at the end as a symbolic expression of his lessons. As Jesus feeds the people with bread, he has
nourished their souls with wisdom.
We are sensitive to the hungry. Fortunately, the numbers of hungry people in
the world continue to decrease. It is
said that there are more people obese in the world today than hungry. Yet people still starve to death. They do so because of war and other forms of pride
and hatred. We Christians should follow
our Lord by teaching care for one another.
The lessons begin at home with our families. They extend wherever we go and beyond to the
people we pray for.
