MATTHEW 14:13-31 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION ( August 2, 2020)
When Jesus heard of it, he set out by boat for a secluded place, to be alone. But the people heard of it, and they followed him on foot from their towns. When Jesus went ashore, he saw the crowd gathered there, and he had compassion on them. And he healed their sick.
Late in the afternoon, his disciples came to him and said, “We are in a lonely place and it is now late. You should send these people away, so that they can go to the villages and buy something to eat.” They answered, “ We have nothing here but five loaves and two fishes.”
Jesus said to them, “Bring them here to me.” Then he made everyone sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves, and handed them to the disciple to distribute to the people. And they all ate, and everyone had enough; then the disciples gathered up the leftovers, filling twelve baskets. About five thousand men had eaten there, besides women and children.
POINTS OF REFLECTION
This Bible reading points out two important facts of life which is “the compassion of Christ and healing of the sick and the miraculous multiplication the bread and a fish”
“The compassion of Christ and healing of the sick” is a tell of reality that all in the shadow of this world are sick. We are all dying in spirit and that the need of healing is immediate, as can be seen by the effort of the people who follow Jesus in the secluded place. But because of their faith unto Jesus, He offered in return by healing of the sick not limited to the physically but included as well the healing of the spirit.
On the other hand, the miraculous multiplication of the bread and the fish for the crowd is not an ordinary means of crisis intervention instead more of sustaining the people’s energy and enthusiasm to keep oneself to Jesus. It is also a clear message that God is abundant and there is no need for us to worry if we are with Him. God is very much willing to supply all our needs (“not wants and excesses) for satisfaction. Always remember God has all the reserves for you.
Brothers and sisters, Jesus is our healing icon and the energy to sustain different trials, problems and challenges waiting ahead of us.
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Doctor in Development Education ( Dev. Ed. D.), an all time educator as School Head and HEI Instructor.
