Tuesday after Epiphany

Today's Mass Readings

“When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd” (Mk 6:34). These opening words of today’s gospel, and the description of the miraculous multiplication of the loaves and fishes, continue the revelation of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Saint Mark’s words recall the prophecy of Isaiah: “Here comes with power the Lord God, who rules by his strong arm; Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs…” (Isa 40:10,11). Isaiah describes a mighty ruler who will govern with “his strong arm”, but who will also display the tenderness of a shepherd who lovingly cares for his sheep.

Jesus first addresses their spiritual needs of his crowd of followers, as Mark notes, he “began to teach them many things.” His word is the real food that ultimately satisfies the heart. Yet, Jesus the Good Shepherd demonstrates that our spiritual and physical needs are not mutually exclusive concerns. He gathers his lost sheep by arranging them neatly “in rows by hundreds and by fifties” and feeds them with a mere five loaves of bread and two fish. In this way, Jesus is revealed as the new Moses, leading the people of Israel and providing for their physical and spiritual needs in the wilderness. At the conclusion of the meal, Mark notes, “They all ate and were satisfied,” recalling the words of Psalm 78, “God rained manna upon them for food…They ate and were well filled…” (Ps 78:24, 29). 

This passage is reenacted for us every time we attend the Eucharist. In the Mass, Jesus satisfies the hunger of our hearts through the proclamation of His living Word, and then He gives us His own Body and Blood as daily food for the journey. We are invited to find our satisfaction wholly and completely in Him alone.

For today: Ponder these questions today. How can help satisfy the spiritual hunger of those who enter my life? How can I share the Lord’s word with them? How can I point them toward Jesus who lovingly cares for all his sheep?

Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB