THE WORD
1Jn 4,7-10 / Mk 6,34-44
As Jesus stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length. By now, it was getting very late, and his disciples came up to him and said, “This is a lovely place and it is getting very late, so send them away, and they can go to the farms and villages round about, to buy themselves something to eat.” He replied, “Give them something to eat yourselves.” they answered, “Are we to go and spend two hundred denarii on bread for them to eat?” “How many loaves have you?’ he asked “Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said ‘five loaves and two fish,’ then he ordered them to get all the people together in groups on the green grass, and they sat down on the grounds in square of hundreds and fifties, then he took the five loaves and the two sh, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing; then he broke the loaves and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the people. He also shared out the two fishes among them all.. They all ate as much as they wanted. They collected twelve basketfuls scraps of breads and piece of fish. Those who have eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.
IN OTHER WORDS
The pastoral visit of Pope Francis last January 15-19, 2015, was a concrete manifestation of the challenge for us to participate in the multiplication of the bread in this time, when Filipinos are tossed in a sea of turmoil. Natural disasters caused by storms, tidal waves, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes as well as man-made calamities triggered by illegal logging, irresponsible mining, and human trafficking, have inflicted so much pain and misery especially to children.
Aware of these realities, Pope Francis grieved with the people. He kissed the children, embraced the poor, the aged and the sick. He appealed for help for the poor, the end of corruption, value for family life, and care for Mother Earth. Yes, if we truly live out the values of Christ, there will be more bread for the hungry - bread for everyone’s need. A real multiplication of bread- physically, emotionally, mentally, and psychologically.
Am I willing to go out of my comfort zone, to share “bread” and “ sh” especially with the hungry?
Am I ready to share “mercy and compassion”
- Sister Mildred Arcos, SSpS | Tayum, Abra
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
