Breaking Bread

Saturday of the a Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

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Gospel of a Mark 8:1-10

He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. They ate and were satisfied.

Pity for the Hungry Crowd  In today's gospel reading, Jesus is moved with pity by the hunger of the crowds. The people stood by him for three days listening to his preaching and witnessing his miracles.  Can you imagine not eating for three days?  Can you imagine your stomach growling and your mouth dry? Just think being physically present with Jesus made those hunger pains worth enduring!   Jesus multiplied the loaves of bread and fish for his people: He broke bread, gave thanks, and gave them to his disciples.  We hear these similar words at the Consecration of the Holy Mass in remembrance of the Last Supper.  We are invited to the Eucharistic table daily.  Christ's spiritual food provides us with daily nourishment.  This nourishment keeps our hearts, minds, and souls bonded to Christ.

Do you hunger and thirst for Christ in communion?  Do you acknowledge his true presence in the form of bread and wine?  

Breaking Bread with Others  I think most people enjoy eating meals with friends and family.  It's a time of  pleasant conversation, shared stories, laughter, and advice bonding us as human beings.  In our times of despair, we may not feel like breaking bread with others.  We prefer to isolate ourselves.  This way we can wallow in our own self-pity and think negatively.  Sometimes the best therapy is surrounding ourselves with others! Just listening to another person's problems can bring a new perspective on our own struggles. What we experience may not be so bad.  Why stay home alone and dwell?  I find attending Mass regularly and becoming active in a parish community is a wonderful way of getting out of ourselves.  When we minister to others, life seems to take a more positive route.  When we interact with other Christians in a meaningful way, we discover ways to deal with the issues we face.

The Holy Eucharist is a powerful form of healing.  I find frequent reception of communion keeps me well-balanced and more aware of others around me.  I feel the need to give rather than receive.    I feel more at peace with my life circumstances. Christ gave us his precious body and his blood as tokens of his deep love for us!  

-J.