Daily Gospel Reflection for February 14, 2015

Today's Gospel: Mark 8:1-10

Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop

Today’s Gospel is one of the loaves and fishes stories. Clearly, we can see the Eucharist foreshadowed in it. My favorite part is when Jesus’ heart was “moved with pity.” What a God of compassion and understanding!

Jesus tests His disciples a bit today. He keeps asking them questions, trying to see what they will do when people are spiritually starving. Will they simply send the people away? Or will they use what they have and rely on Jesus for the rest?

Jesus blesses the food, and the Eucharistic overtones are obvious. He then turns to his disciples and asks them to distribute the food—another foreshadowing of their future jobs to feed the people. The people ate until they were satisfied. There was more than enough with baskets left over. Jesus shows us how He intends to meet our needs. He wants to satisfy us with blessings to spare.

Ponder:

What comfort does it give me to know Jesus takes pity on me?

Do I use what I have to help others and rely on Jesus for the rest?

Am I ever satisfied? Do I believe that Jesus can actually satisfy me?

Pray:

Lord, thank You for taking pity on me. Allow me to do the same for others. Teach me to use what I have and rely on You for the rest. Teach me to be satisfied and show me how you alone are what can satisfy me. Amen.

We thank our friends at The Word Among Us for providing our gospel reflection team with copies of Abide In My Word 2015: Mass Readings at Your Fingertips. To pray the daily gospels with this wonderful resource, visit The Word Among Us.

Copyright 2015 Ellen Toole