By Naresh Namindla csc –
Readings: 1Kgs 12: 26-32; Mk 8: 1-10
In the first reading of today, we see the evil thoughts and works of King Jeroboam. The king did not want the sraelites to offer sacrifices to their God at Jerusalem. Instead, he created his own gods and made Israelites to worship the gods made of wood. King Jeroboam was someone who thought of his own prosperity, position, and authority to be upheld and did not care for the interests of people living in his Kingdom.
In today’s gospel reading, we have Jesus, who with his
compassionate and generous heart, felt pity for the people who came to listen to him. They felt hungry, for they did not have anything to eat. Jesus multiplied the little they had and fed all people. There is a vast difference between King Jeroboam in the first reading and Jesus in the gospel reading. King Jeroboam worked for his selfish motives of acquiring name and fame but Jesus with his compassionate and generous heart reached out to the people and fed them all.
In the gospel reading, Jesus set an example to us of how to be compassionate and generous to those people who need our help. We all know sharing is caring and caring is sharing. But how many of us come forward when it is really needed? St. Mother Teresa was always there to share and care for people who were sick, poor, and less privileged. She was ever ready to provide a shelter for them.
This way she showed her love for Jesus by caring for the less privileged ones. Similarly, the gospel invites each one of us to be compassionate and generous towards the less privileged.