“SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER”
Daily Spiritual Reflections
12th February 2022
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SATURDAY, FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1 Kgs 12: 26-32; 13: 33-34; Ps 106: 6-7, 19-22; Mk 8: 1-10
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THE MYSTERY OF THE MULTIPLICATION
Seven: Jesus feeds a great multitude with seven loaves. Seven is a number associated in ancient literature with completion and fullness, as indicated by the seven days of creation. Jesus’ miracle of feeding of the hungry crowd predicted a Church that would feed not only the people of Israel but the whole world through the sacrifice of his life.
Giving thanks: The needs of the crowd far exceeded the couple of fish and few loaves of bread at hand. The disciples see only that which is lacking, absent, and deficient. Jesus, by contrast, accepts what resources are present, gives thanks for them and tells the disciples to distribute them. The people eat and are satisfied. When gathered up, the fragments fill seven baskets. Here we see the virtue of gratitude, the multiplication of what one has and the enrichment of one’s resources. Gratitude has a way of drawing out that which is hidden, overlooked, ignored, and disregarded. It opens our hearts to the many graces and blessing that we have received and that we need to share.
Blessing: Jesus said a blessing over the meagre offering before sharing them with the people. The word used for Jewish blessings in their rituals in Greek is “eucharistesas”, from which the church derived the word ‘Eucharist’. Today Jesus feeds us with his word, and with his body and blood in every Eucharist. His word is the truth that enlightens our minds and his body is our food for the journey of life, drawing us into the closest loving intimacy.
Four thousand: The number of people fed is four thousand, a number which indicates the immensity of the crowd, and symbolizes the whole world. Number four in ancient times indicated the reaches of the whole world, signifying the four directions of the wind and the four corners of the world. Jesus’ feeding of the four thousand shows the worldwide direction of the Gospel, the kingdom that includes Jews and Gentiles.
Response: O Lord, remember me with the favour you show to your people
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