Compassion Turned into Miracles

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.” But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?” And he said to them, “How many loaves have you? Go and see.” When they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men. Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray. Mark 6:30-46 

Some have heard me tell of my mother's trunk. When she was in her seventies and eighties, she had an old Buick that my Dad had purchased before he passed away. It was a big boat of  car. People were always stopping by our house, strangers to me, opening my Mom's trunk and putting things in. None of us were alarmed. Once a week, she and a small band of volunteers fed an army of hungry, disadvantaged children. The trunk deposits were supplies compassionately given for feeding the children. The kids often when home with cartons of food to share with their families. 

Jesus and his disciples were attempting to rest. They couldn't get away from the needs of the people. Compassion moved his heart and Jesus put his needs aside for a time to help the crowds that had gathered. These were not the rulers and owners, but those who labored, the broken, the outcasts and aliens. He not only taught them but he fed them in abundance. We are reminded that sometimes our plans will need to change but we can expect miracles if we respond with compassion.

Today, I ask God to help me open my heart always to the needs of others. May we live for the miracles that happen when we give up our plans for the sake of others.