July 31, 2011: 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”

Jesus saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”
Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:14-16)

Jesus healed many who were sick and fed people when they were hungry, as we hear in today’s gospel. He went out of his way to take care of others, no matter what their needs. Unlike the disciples who did not want to be bothered by the hungry crowd, Jesus cared and satisfied their hunger. The people were fed. Perhaps the “miracle” in today’s gospel was that people listened to Jesus and then shared the food they had with one another.

Action:

The disciples were not miracle workers and neither are we. However, Jesus invites us to show compassion to people who are in need. Do you know someone who needs your help? Have a compassionate heart. Do what you can to help.