“You Are Looking For Me Because…”
Jesus
tells the crowd, “You are looking for me not because you saw signs
but because you ate the loaves and were filled.”
Jesus’ words prompted me to ask, “Why do I look for Jesus?”
Do I go to God only when I need or want something?
And ultimately, God invites me to believe in Jesus for who he is, the One sent by God, not because I can get something out of it.
Image source: www.agnusday.org
Our Five Loaves of Barley Bread
At the time of Jesus, barley bread, unlike wheat bread, was the bread of people who were poor [1]. And there were only 5 loaves for a crowd of 5 thousand people.
What matter is the attitude – the attitude of Jesus. Jesus noticed the hunger of the people. Nobody asked or suggested that he gave the crowd food. It was Jesus who took the initiative to feed them.
“Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them” to the people. These three actions are the very actions Jesus would do when he gives us the Eucharist, the gift of himself – the gift of God’s life and love.
The number of people and their needs are so great. We might not have much. Five barley loaves might be all we have. With Jesus’ attitude and united with him in his gift of his Eucharist, our five barley loaves can satisfy the hungers of people.
Image source: www.agnusday.org
[1] John Petty, www.progressiveinvolvement.com
Jesus’ Heart Was Moved with Pity
Mark 6: 30-34
When Jesus “saw the vast crowd, [who] were like sheep without a shepherd,” “his heart was moved with pity for them.”
Mark’s description of Jesus’ response conveys the sense that it was heartbreaking or gut-wrenching [1] for Jesus seeing the people and their situation.
So is Jesus when each of us and any one of God’s children suffer in anyway.
And may we imitate Jesus’ compassionate heart when our brothers and sisters suffer.
[1] John Petty, www.progressiveinvolvement.com
Image source: www.agnusday.org
Jesus’ Mission, with His Authority
Mark 6: 7-13
Jesus “gives [the Twelve] authority” and sends them out.
As they go, they “preach repentance,” “drive out many demons,” and “cure the sick.”
These are the same ministries that Jesus has been doing with the Twelve accompanying him.
Now, Jesus sends them to continue his mission.
So it is with us. He sends us out today to continue his mission, with his authority.
Image source: James Tissot, He Sent Them Out Two by Two, wikimedia.org
“Is He Not?”
In this passage, the reaction of Jesus’ neighbor is strange, to say the least.
They have heard of Jesus’ power in his healing and preaching. Why are they not proud that one of their own is doing such amazing things?
Is it because they are jealous? Is it because they have such low opinion of themselves that they cannot think that one of their own would have such power and wisdom?
Or is it because they cannot see the hand of God in a carpenter? The Gospel reports that “they were scandalized by him” or that “he was a stumbling block for them.” (The English text used for our reading translates, “They took offense at him”).
Does my way of seeing or treating some people prevent me from seeing God’s presence in them, and respecting them as children of God?
Image source: www.agnusday.org
