Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

– That people everywhere may have open eyes to see and alleviate the miseries and hungers of others, we pray:

– That we may give not only bread or rice to the hungry, but love and justice, we pray:

– That the Lord may help us to look up to him for the food that makes us richer persons, we pray:

God of all people,

Jesus is among us

and he sets for us the bread and the wine

of his total self-giving.

May this holy meal fill us with his Spirit

and make us people

who live not for themselves

but, like Jesus, for others,

even when the cost is high.

May this be our offering to you

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God, our Father,

The Lord for whom we were waiting

has been with us, Jesus, your Son.

He has filled us with rich food

and the joyful wine of himself.

May he put us back on our feet,

that strengthened by this food

we may go out to the poor,

the lame and the weak of our day

to give them the food of our understanding,

of our compassion and our love,

by the power of Jesus Christ our Lord.

The sign that Jesus, the Messiah, is present among his people is that the hungry are fed. Among us today, do we feed them? Do we care for people and give them what they need? May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

witness and participate

In this passage, we witness a powerful demonstration of Jesus's compassion and provision. He goes up a mountainside, and large crowds bring the sick, the lame, the blind, and many others to him. Jesus responds not only with healing but also with a deep sense of empathy, recognizing the physical and spiritual needs of the people.

The multitude stays with Jesus for three days, highlighting their hunger for both physical and spiritual nourishment. In the wilderness, Jesus miraculously feeds them with seven loaves and a few small fish, emphasizing the abundance that flows from His hands.

The act of taking the seven loaves and fish, giving thanks, breaking them, and distributing to the crowds mirrors the pattern of the Last Supper. This prefigures the sacrificial nature of Jesus's life and foreshadows the Eucharistic celebration, where Christ offers Himself for the sustenance of His people.

The leftovers, collected in seven baskets, signify not only the abundance of God's provision but also the completeness and perfection in Christ. Seven, a biblical symbol of perfection, emphasizes the divine fullness in Jesus's ministry.

This miracle speaks to the inclusivity of God's grace. The crowd is diverse, representing different needs, backgrounds, and conditions. In Christ, there is provision for all, and no one is excluded from His compassionate care.

As we reflect on this passage, we are reminded of Christ's ability to meet our needs, both physical and spiritual. His compassion knows no bounds, and in Him, we find abundance. The call for us is to bring our needs to Him, trusting in His provision, and to be instruments of His love and generosity in the world. May we, like the disciples, witness and participate in the miraculous outpouring of God's grace in the lives of those around us.

4 December 2024

Breaking Bread, Healing Hearts 

Jesus reveals the tenderness of God’s heart through two profound acts: healing the broken and feeding the hungry. These miracles remind us that God is present not only in the spiritual but also in the physical realities of our lives.

Isaiah’s vision of a festive banquet underscores this truth, portraying the Kingdom of God as a place of abundance and joy. Pope Francis often speaks of the importance of embracing life’s simple blessings—sharing a meal, savouring creation, and delighting in the company of others. These earthly joys are not distractions from faith but reflections of God’s goodness. As the Holy Father teaches, “The Eucharist is not a reward for the perfect but nourishment for the weak.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus' healing of the sick restores their ability to fully experience life’s beauty—seeing the colours of nature, hearing the laughter of children, and walking freely with loved ones. This underscores the sanctity of human health and the noble mission of healthcare professionals, whom Pope Francis calls “custodians of life.” Their work mirrors Christ’s healing ministry, honouring the dignity of the body as part of God’s creation.

When Jesus multiplies the loaves and fishes, He prefigures the Eucharist, the “daily bread” that sustains our souls. Like the crowd who left satisfied, we too are nourished at the Lord’s table, gaining strength for life’s journey. The Mass is where heaven touches earth, making our burdens lighter and our hearts brighter.

This Gospel invites us to embrace both the spiritual and physical aspects of life as sacred. Whether breaking bread with loved ones, caring for the sick, or receiving the Eucharist, we encounter the God who feeds, heals, and rejoices with us.