Location: Our Lady’s Chapel at Assumption Seminary
“They ate and were satisfied.” Mark 8: 1-10
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, as we gather to reflect on the Word of God, we are presented with a beautiful passage from the Gospel of Mark. In this passage, we witness the compassion and love of Jesus as he feeds the multitude with just a few loaves of bread and fish. It is a powerful reminder of the abundance of God’s grace and the importance of sharing that grace with others.
In this story, we see Jesus taking the meager resources of the disciples – five loaves and two fish – and multiplying them to feed thousands of people. This miracle is not only a demonstration of Jesus’ power, but also a lesson for us. It teaches us that no matter how small or insignificant our own resources may seem, when we offer them to God with a generous heart, He can use them to bring about great things.
Pope Francis reminds us of the importance of sharing the gifts that God has given us. He says, “We who, by God’s grace, have put our faith in Jesus and experienced the transformative power of his word, are called not only to give thanks for this wondrous gift, but also to share it freely and joyfully with others” (General Audience, Rome, 25 January 2023). Just as Jesus took the loaves and fish and shared them with the multitude, we too are called to share the abundance of God’s love and mercy with those around us.
But this passage is not just about physical nourishment. It is also a reminder that Jesus is the bread of life. Just as the people were hungry for food, we too have a hunger deep within our souls – a hunger for meaning, for purpose, for fulfillment. And it is only through Jesus, the bread of life, that this hunger can be satisfied.
As we reflect on this passage, let us ask ourselves: What are the loaves and fish that we have to offer to God? What are the gifts and talents that He has given us? And how can we use them to bring about the Kingdom of God here on earth?
Let us remember that just as Jesus took the small offering of the disciples and multiplied it, He can do the same with our own offerings. When we offer our time, our talents, and our resources to God, He can use them to bring about great things in our lives and in the lives of others.
So let us go forth from this place, inspired by the example of Jesus and the words of Pope Francis, to share the abundance of God’s love and mercy with all those we encounter. Let us continue to be generous with our gifts, knowing that when we offer them to God, He can use them to bring about miracles in our world.
May the Lord bless you abundantly for all that you have done to support our Appeal for Ministries! May God continue to multiply the blessings in your life as you share them with others; and may our Mother of Guadalupe guide and protect you and your loved ones. Amen.
