Compassion

In those days when there was again a great crowd without anything to eat, he called his disciples and said to them, “I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way—and some of them have come from a great distance.” His disciples replied, “How can one feed these people with bread here in the desert?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” Then he ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them to the crowd. They had also a few small fish; and after blessing them, he ordered that these too should be distributed. They ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. Now there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha. Mark 8:1-10

Yesterday, I stood in line to get credentials to visit the UN with our delegation of women. I talked to several women who were from Canada, also here for the forum, who do amazing ministries and service for the suffering around the world. They gave me pins and cards about their work - one  caring for exploited women, the other medical providers to the world's poorest regions. Their love and compassion was evident and inspiring.

In the Gospel today, Jesus has compassion for the crowd. From that compassion, the small resources became a great miracle foe many. The incarnate living God was moved to do something for the people who came to seek healing and closeness to God. We learn today that the Creator is moved by our needs and our hunger. Miracles of abundance wait for those who seek to now and feel God's presence. There are miracles for the hungry, for those trying to find their way home.

Today I ask God to help me have compassion for all I encounter today. May we be moved by the living God, to share the little resources we have knowing God will increase abundantly our offerings.