Satisfied

Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family

Matthew 15:29-37– At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus summoned his disciples and said, "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way." The disciples said to him, "Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?"  Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" "Seven," they replied, "and a few fish." He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over--seven baskets full. 

 (Parent)  Reread this part a few times aloud

“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd…”

(Parent)  Read this meditation aloud to the family

Jesus’ heart is “moved with pity for the crowd” following Him in the Gospel.  They have been following Jesus for days and they don’t have any food.  Jesus notices their need and He provides enough food so they can eat until they are satisfied.  We should be like that crowd.  Our first concern should be to follow Jesus.  If we lack anything, He will notice and He will provide for us.    

When Jesus is asked by the first disciples, “Where are you going?” He answers, “Come and see.”  Later He would say to some of them, “Follow me.”  As disciples today, we are watching Jesus in the Gospel every day so that we can learn how to follow Him.  This should be our concern: to follow Jesus.  But Jesus has a different concern: to take care of us.  Jesus will notice our needs (money, jobs, friendships, problems, etc.) and He will provide.

As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)