11 Feb
Sat
5th Week in Ordinary Time
1Kgs 12: 26-32, 13:33-34
Ps. 106: 6-7, 19-22
Mk. 8: 1-10
(Ps Wk I)
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How Jesus fed a large crowd of people with just a few loaves of bread and some fish is a central and very important incident in the gospels. There are variations in the details and emphasis in the way each gospel tells the story (and scholars discuss whether there were two or more such incidents, or just one which was remembered differently by different people). The image of loaves and fish has carried great symbolism and meaning for Jesus' followers ever since, especially in reference to the Eucharist. Mark's gospel describes the incident simply and matter-of-factly.

"I feel sorry for all these people", Jesus said, noting that a large crowd had been following Him around for a couple of days, some of them coming from quite a distance away. Was it simply the crowd's hunger that was on His mind? If they were hungry, what about Jesus Himself and His disciples, weren't they hungry too? At the end of the incident, according to Mark, He quickly sent them all away anyway, as He hurried on to His next destination. In your prayer speak to the Lord about His feelings for that crowd, and ask to share His compassion for everyone, however great or small their sufferings or discomforts.



Lord, give me a share in Your compassion for the underprivilleged.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That the international community may be ever more aware of the urgent duty to bring an end to the trafficking in human beings.
Elaboration

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