Devotional thoughts for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

by Fr Happy Jacob

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 15:32-39 - Jesus feeds the Four Thousand

We had already come across the same scene in the last weeks reading. While looking at the multitude Jesus asks the disciples to feed them. People from other place come to Jesus for healing and for his Word of God.

Jesus summoned his disciples and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and having nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way." Here we can see the compassion of Jesus to the people who come to him. He shows his action to satisfy the people rather than in words. We people in our situations are very empathetic and compassionate in our words – nothing on act. The practice of mercy and compassion is very important in Christian life.

St Mathew 11:28 -Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. St Mathew 18:10 Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my father in heaven.

Look I our qurbana khramam appendix 10 II A, there listed a few things that every Christian had to practice.

When Jesus asked the disciples to feed, they said about their practical difficulty.

" Where should we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy son great a multitude?" Jesus said to them "How many loaves do you have?" Jesus is not looking at the volume of what they can give but the nature of their presentation. St. Mathew 17:21 For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to the mountain, `move from here to there,' it will move and nothing will be impossible for you.

In our daily life we all face this situation. Jesus asks us what you have? We think what and where we get to give to others. But Lord want to hear from our side what we have. We always looking on others to receive complements and gifts .We have nothing to share. St Luke 19:26 " I tell you to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away."

A lot of people living in our world needs help prayer and support from our side. If we practice this virtue we can change the world to a paradise. Anyone have wealth- share it, any have power- help others and if any one have nothing pray for others. Keep in mind what ever things we posses is not ours but it is the mercy of God, so share it.

Disciples gave him the seven loaves and a few fish. He blessed it and gives to them. When we give ourselves or what we have to Jesus Christ he bless and give back to us to serve others. They all ate and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over. This shows Jesus blessings are unlimited. Not to satisfy ourselves or to our community. But we have to serve all the people. So he showers plenty of mercies on us. In the other sense what God will give; it has no limit; continuously flowing.

Jesus giving bread to the people to overcome physical hunger. At the same time he teaches us about the eternal food for eternal life i.e. His body and Blood.

St John 6: 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the son of man will give you.

Look at Jesus, hear from Him and do what He said to us.