Jesus is the Word of God made flesh.  He dwells with the others so that those who hunger and thirst may have their fill of his words and flesh. 

The Twelve return from their mission and they tell Jesus all that they have done.  He, in turn, takes them with him to Bethsaida where they can be alone.  And Mark adds that Jesus wants the Twelve to rest a bit.  This shows that he is attentive to the needs of others.

But then, the crowd soon show up.  And soon, too, Jesus speaks to them about the kingdom of God and heals those who need healing.  So, he is attentive once more to what others need.

And it seems that the Twelve know well also what others need.  After all, they tell Jesus that the crowd will have to find food and a place to stay.  And so, he should let them go, which goes to show the Twelve do not want to answer for others.

Yet he does not let the Twelve shirk their responsibility.  So, he tells them to give food to the crowd.  But how can they?  Five loaves and two fish is all they have.  Must they go and buy food for more than five thousand folks?

But before they know it, he brings in calm and order and does his thing.  For he leads them at supper and, thus, makes them catch a glimpse of the feast on the Lord’s mountain:  he takes the food, looks up to heaven, says the blessing over it and breaks it.  Then, he gives it to the disciples to give it to the crowd.  They all eat, then, and have their fill.

None of the accounts, though, tells us how the food multiplies.  It is for us to just trust in Jesus’ concern and care.  And to think of ways to be inventive in our love for others (SV. EN XI:131).  So that we answer their needs.

Lord Jesus, Eternal High Priest, grant that we we listen to your Good News, be in communion with you, follow you, breathe your life-breath, and pray and work with you in making the world more fit for humans.  Give us strength so we give up our bodies and shed our blood, and not just give things to others.  And teach us to respect and listen to them, and to meet each one of them where they are at.

22 June 2025
Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (C)
Gen 14, 18-20; 1 Cor 11, 23-26; Lk 9, 11b-17