ARE YOU HUNGRY FOR GOD? ~ CookingFood.Org

“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Daily Reflections

Saturday, 10^th February 2018,

Fifth Week in the Ordinary Time

First reading: 1 Kings 12:26-32,13:33-34

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 105:6-7,19-22

Gospel: Mark 8:1-10

ARE YOU HUNGRY FOR GOD?

The episode in the Gospel can be seen in different ways and reveals the compassion of Jesus. There was large gathering including Jews and gentiles, men and women adults and children. They had only one thing in common. That was they were hungry. They were hungry for the teachings of Jesus - what else would keep them at that location for three days? And due to their spiritual hunger, they were now physically hungry. Have you ever been hungry for God? Have you desired for God’s company and His fellowship more than the basic necessities of life?

The crowds were so drawn to Jesus that they were willing to spend three days with Him, listening to Him in a deserted place despite the fact that they were without food. They chose Jesus and His teaching over food and over the comfort of their own homes. It reveals how drawn they were to Him. Nothing else mattered, they simply wanted to be with Jesus. This passage also reveals Jesus’ deep concern for the people. His heart was moved with pity for them. He was grateful for their presence but He was more concerned for their physical well-being than they were. Jesus, then in identifying the problem of people being without food for so long, invites the Apostles to see the problem. He doesn’t solve the problem right away. Instead, He simply explains the problem. Perhaps, Jesus was trying to foster love and concern for the people in the hearts of the Apostles. Perhaps it was a moment in which He was testing them and training them to think about the needs of the people. Jesus wanted their hearts to be “moved with pity for the crowd” just as His was.

Let us consider today: Is Jesus the central focus of our life? Does a longing for Him flood our heart and consume our soul? Are we aware of the deep concern that Jesus has for us? Are we able to allow the love and compassion that Jesus offers to us, in turn be offered to others? Only then will we be worthy of being called one of His disciples.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be drawn to You with intensity and longing. Help me to see You as the source of all that I long for and need in life. May I choose You above all else, trusting and knowing that You will satisfy my every desire. As I turn intensely to You, fill my heart with an abundance of mercy for all. Jesus, I trust in You.. Amen.