Mark 8:1-10
In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him, and said to them, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days, and have nothing to eat; and if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come a long way.” And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these men with bread here in the desert?” And he asked them, “How many loaves have you?” They said, “Seven.” And he commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. And they had a few small fish; and having blessed them, he commanded that these also should be set before them. And they ate, and were satisfied; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away; and immediately he got into the boat with his disciples, and went to the district of Dalmanu’tha.
Homily:
Jesus set the example here. He paid attention to the people, sought a way to alleviate their discomfort, gave thanks for the opportunity, and as he started sharing, others joined in. The bread did not stop at the front row, it went round and there was an overflow.
Our task is not just to spread the word, but to care.
An opportunity to care for others is a source of Thanksgiving, however small the resources available are.
As you share from a place of care and give thanks, your resources do not diminish but multiply. You do not have less, but an overflow.