Jesus feeds five thousand men: Mark 6:30-44
Imaginative Contemplation
The Apostles returned from their work experience and found Jesus in the middle of a large crowd. Tired from their mission, all they wanted to do was to rest and tell Jesus about their time away. But the crowd was persistent, and there wasn’t even an opportunity to have a meal. How did the Apostles feel as they returned? Were they disappointed that Jesus was too busy to listen to them?
Jesus recognised their need and said, ‘Let us go off by ourselves to some lonely place where we will be alone, and you can rest awhile.’ How did the apostles respond?
So they set out in a boat by themselves to a lonely place. What was it like on the boat? What did they talk about?
But the people saw Jesus and his friends leave, and, guessing where they were heading, went by land to meet them as they disembarked. How did the Apostles feel as they saw the crowd on the shore? How did Jesus react?
When it was getting late, the apostles came to Jesus and said, ‘it is already very late. Send the people away so that they can get some food.’ Why do you think the Apostles went to Jesus? Were they hoping to get rid of the crowd?
Jesus challenged them to provide food for the crowd. They asked if he wanted them to go and buy food and spend a lot of money. Jesus asked them to find out how much food the people already had. The result was five loaves and two fish. The Apostles could not understand what Jesus was doing. Can I have faith in God when things seem to be impossible?
The crowd, seated on the green grass in numbered groups, was easy to count. A potentially chaotic situation became ordered.
Jesus took the bread and fish, gave thanks to God and asked the Apostles to distribute it. When the people had finished eating, there were twelve baskets full of the left-overs. Jesus does not waste anything.
The number of men who had eaten was five thousand. Why were the women not counted?
Enter into the scene
I had come back from my work experience and just wanted to talk over things with Jesus. But the crowds kept pestering us. Jesus recognised our need and quietly shepherded us to the boats by the shore so that we could escape the crowd.
What a relief it was to sit there in the boat, gently swaying on the waves, smelling the damp foliage around us and feeling the breeze on our faces. A bit of heaven, I thought.
The hour we spent on the boat was peaceful and nourishing. But as we neared the other shore, there they were, all those noisy, demanding people! Why can’t they leave us alone? Jesus looked up, sighed, and said to us, ‘Well, here they are again!’ And he disembarked, ready to listen to them yet again.
He had been talking and asking them questions for what seemed a long time, and the evening shadows were growing longer. How can we get rid of these people?
One of the disciples said, ‘I know! We’ll tell Jesus that these people are hungry and need a meal. He always thinks of other people!’
But when we suggested this to Jesus, he said, ‘You give them something to eat.’
‘How, Lord? We can only find five bread rolls and two fish. There must be thousands of people here!’
‘Get the people to sit down on the grass. Then bring me the food.’
Wondering what was going to happen, we got the people to sit down in groups. There was plenty of green grass which made sitting on the ground a pleasant experience.
Then Jesus took the bread and blessed it. He gave some to me and I took it to the people nearest to me. I went back for more food, and returned again… and again… and again. Where was it all coming from?
When all the people had been fed, Jesus gave some to us. The bread was delicious, and I have never tasted fish as good as those two little fish!
For further reflection
Discuss with Jesus the following points:
Before we can help anyone else, we must be in a good place, calm and peaceful. Jesus recognises this need. Do I take care of myself so that I can be of help to my neighbour?
Do I indulge myself at the expense of others?
What happens when my plans are disrupted?
Do I try to live an orderly life?
Do I trust that God’s way is the best?
Why weren’t the women counted?
Prayer
Lord, help me to listen to your promptings so that I can be of assistance to those in need. Inspire me to share my gifts with others. Amen.