11 September | EVERYONE
«When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.’» Mark 6:35, 36
The crowd was hungry that day. Jesus and His disciples wanted to be alone and went to the other side of the lake. But, when they arrived there, the people were already waiting for them, eager to hear the Master’s words. As Jesus saw these men, women, and children, He had compassion. Blessed divine compassion! What would become of us if it were not part of His nature? Where would we be? We would be like the owl of the dark solitudes in the desert.
Notice now that both Jesus and the disciples noticed the same need. The disciples’ idea, as we have just read, was to solve the problem by getting rid of the people. Jesus saw another solution and wanted to teach them that when, from the human point of view, all seems lost, there is still an opportunity for God.
“You give them something to eat” (Mark 6:37), He commanded them. According to the disciples, two hundred denarii of bread, more than half a year’s wages of a laborer, would not be enough to feed that multitude. Faced with the problem, they focused on what they did not have. They did not have any money, but when faced with financial problems, remember that life is not solved with material resources. Sometimes, the absence of resources is just an excuse that we create in our minds for not moving forward with faith in the direction of our dreams. On that day, Jesus multiplied the fish and the loaves and showed us that all things are possible to those who believe.
Take Action
Do not break down in the face of life’s challenges. Do not sit back or sit idly by. Face difficulties by trusting Jesus and He will guide you through them.