Gospel

When Jesus multiplied the loaves, he revealed himself as a prophet.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 
Mk 6:34-44

At that time: When Jesus went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.’ But he answered them, ‘You give them something to eat.’ And they said to him, ‘Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?’ And he said to them, ‘How many loaves do you have? Go and see.’ And when they had found out, they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’ Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing, and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

The Gospel of the Lord

Excited to Contribute

In today’s Gospel, Christ speaks to each of us personally and directly:
“Give them something to eat. How many loaves do you have? Go and see.”
Because my spouse has a hunger that only I can help satisfy, and God has given me what they need.
This is the specific call to live out our vocation of conjugal love. Jesus only needs a tiny bit of willingness and generosity to transform our marriage: my loaves and fishes, offered in service to my spouse. Is it little? Yes, we know that… or perhaps the problem is we think we’re giving a lot. Maybe the first step is to “go and see” how many loaves I truly have, to realise I don’t even have enough to begin to satisfy their hunger. My spouse hungers for the infinite, because they hunger for God.
But the Lord continues to speak, asking my spouse to recline and prepare to be filled with what they truly need. He asks me to give all I have and all I am to Him. Yet, since only God can quench their thirst for the infinite, we must first offer it to Jesus. He will transform it and perform the miracle of abundance.

Applied to Married Life:

James: Laura, you’re right. I’m not giving my all in our relationship, which is why you feel an emptiness inside. For example, do I really listen to you? Do I try to understand you? Do I make an effort to please you? Do I make you feel important? Do I respect your authority with our children? Do I share decisions with you? Do I compliment you daily? Do I tell you how much I love you every day? I can see I fall far short of giving you everything I have and everything I am.
Laura (James’ wife): Honestly, I could say the same to you. I complain, but I’m not doing my part either. Still, if we were to do this in the name of the Lord, even though our love is small, wounded, and fragile, if we offer it to Jesus, He will multiply it until there are baskets left over. Surprisingly, it will also feed those around us: our children, family, friends…
James: I think it’s worth getting excited about contributing what little we have so the Lord can fill our hearts with the communion we both need. Shall we give Him everything?
Laura: Everything. Let’s go!

Mother,

We’re certain that Jesus feels compassion for us and won’t let us leave unsatisfied. We lift our eyes to heaven. Father, we bless You and offer You the most precious gift: the Sacrifice of Your Son, through whom our marriage has been redeemed. We give You all that we are; we hold nothing back. Allow us to give ourselves to each other as it was in the beginning of creation so that our mutual self-giving may perfectly satisfy the hunger for love in our hearts. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen.