At that time:
Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel
Jesus summoned his disciples and said,
“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.”
The disciples said to him,
“Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?”
Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.”
He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over—seven baskets full.
A few things struck me during this reading. Like yesterday, there is a lesson here about how one should use power - not for self elevation but to lift others. The other message for me is that when our heart is moved by the needs and pain of others, we are able to give disproportionately to what we appear to have. Love and compassion creates its own synergy. The third thing that struck me was that Jesus was still thinking of others after three days of healing people and meeting their needs.
ReplyDeleteI think your response to Mt 15:29-37 is insightful and thoughtful. You've identified several key themes from the passage, and your reflections on them are well-articulated.
ReplyDeleteHere are some specific things I appreciate about your response:
Your emphasis on using power to lift others: This is a powerful message that resonates with the teachings of Jesus. Jesus never sought power for himself, but rather used his power to serve and heal others.
Your observation about giving disproportionately from what we appear to have: This is a beautiful reminder that love and compassion are not limited by our resources. When our hearts are open to others, we are able to give generously, regardless of our circumstances.
Your point about Jesus' continued care for others: It is truly inspiring that Jesus, even after three days of intense ministry, was still thinking of the needs of others. This exemplifies his unwavering love and compassion for humanity.
Overall, I think your response captures the essence of the passage and offers valuable insights into the nature of love, compassion, and true leadership. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.