Contrast between Send them Away by the Disciples; Give them something to Eat by Jesus

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season: Tuesday after Epiphany*

*Gospel :  Mark 6: 34-44*

*First Reading : 1 John 4:7-10*

*Responsorial Psalm : 72: 1-8*

*Contrast between Send them Away by the Disciples; Give them something to Eat by Jesus* 

*1) The Surface Contrast*

*A) The Disciples: “Send them away”*

*They see the problem*: large crowd, no food, limited resources.

They think in terms of scarcity, logistics, and human capability.

Their response is practical, realistic—but also fear-based.

Responsibility is shifted outward: “Let them take care of themselves.”

*B) Jesus: “You give them something to eat”*

Jesus sees not just the problem, but the people.

His response flows from compassion.

He does not deny the lack, but He refuses to let lack be the final word.

Responsibility is brought inward: “You are involved in this.”

*2) The Deeper Meaning*

*A) From Scarcity to Trust*

The disciples look at what they do not have.

Jesus looks at what they do have, however small.

Five loaves and two fish are not enough—unless placed in Jesus’ hands.

God does not ask us to start with abundance. He asks us to start with trust and surrender.

*B) From Dismissal to Compassion*

“Send them away” reveals a temptation we all face:

When people’s needs overwhelm us, we want distance.

Compassion feels costly.

*Jesus teaches:* Love does not withdraw when it is inconvenient.

True discipleship means allowing our comfort to be disturbed by the hunger—physical, emotional, or spiritual—of others.

*C) From Human Calculation to Divine Possibility*

The disciples calculate: money, time, energy.

Jesus invites faith: “What do you have?”

Miracles begin when human calculation ends and obedient offering begins.

*3) Why Jesus Says “YOU give them something to eat”*

This is one of the most important lines in the Gospel.

Jesus could have fed the crowd without the disciples—but He chose to involve them.

*This teaches us*: God’s miracles often pass through human hands.

We are not spectators; we are participants in God’s work.

Even when we feel inadequate, God still entrusts us with responsibility.

*4) Relevance to Our Life Today*

*A) In Daily Relationships*

When someone is struggling: Our instinct: “Someone else should help.”

Jesus’ call: “What can you do?”

A kind word, listening ear, small act of generosity—these are modern “loaves and fish.”

*B) In Society and the World*

Faced with: Poverty, Injustice, Loneliness, Broken families; We often say: “The problem is too big.”

Jesus says: “Start where you are.”

We are not asked to fix everything—only to offer what we have.

*C) In Personal Faith*

*Many people feel*: “I’m not holy enough” 

“I don’t know enough”

“I don’t have enough time”

Jesus responds: “Bring that to me.” Faith grows not by waiting to be ready, but by bringing our insufficiency to Christ.

*5) A Spiritual Reflection* 

The disciples wanted to remove the crowd.

Jesus wanted to feed the crowd.

The disciples focused on limits.

Jesus revealed abundance.

The disciples asked, “How can we?”

Jesus showed, “With God, you can.”

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*