Gospel of the Day (Mark 6:34-44)

When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, "This is a deserted place and it is already very late.

Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat."

He said to them in reply, "Give them some food yourselves." But they said to him, "Are we to buy two hundred days' wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?"

He asked them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they had found out they said, "Five loaves and two fish."

So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass.

The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties.

Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to (his) disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all.

They all ate and were satisfied.

And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish.

Those who ate (of the loaves) were five thousand men.

***

Reflections:

"It was already very late...They all ate and were satisfied"

My Beloved, the tranquil night

at the time of the rising dawn,

silent music,

sounding solitude,

the supper that refreshes, and deepens love.

It should be known that in divine Scripture this term "supper" refers to the divine vision [Rv. 3:20-21]. Just as supper comes at the end of a day's work and the beginning of evening rest, this tranquil knowledge causes the soul to experience a certain end of her evils and the possession of good things in which her love of God is deepened more than before. As
a result, he is the supper that refreshes by being the end of evils for her, and deepens love by being to her the possession of all goods.

Yet for a better understanding of what this supper is to the soul - it is, as we said, her Beloved - we should note in this appropriate place what the beloved Bridegroom says in the Apocalypse: I stand at the door and knock; if anyone opens, I shall enter and we shall sup together [Rv. 3:20]. In this text he indicates that he carries his supper with him, and it is nothing but his very own delights and savors that he himself enjoys. In uniting himself with the soul he imparts them, and she likewise enjoys them. For such is the meaning of the words, "we shall sup together." Hence these words declare the effect of the divine union of the soul with God, in which God's very own goods are graciously and bounteously shared in common with his bride, the soul. He himself is for her the supper that refreshes and deepens love, for in being bounteous he refreshes her, and in being gracious he deepens love in her.

Gospel of the Day (Matthew 4:12-17.23-25)

When he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.

He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen."

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them.

And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

***

Reflections:

"They brought to him all who were sick"

Let us all raise our eyes to the Lord in heaven, crying out like the prophet: «He who has been seen upon earth is our God who, through an act of his will, has spoken with men»... He who showed himself to the prophets in various forms, whom Ezekiel beheld beneath the appearance of a man on a fiery chariot (1,26) and Daniel as Son of Man and Ancient of Days, both old and young at the same time (7,9.13), showing forth in himself a single Lord: he it is who has appeared and who has illuminated all things.

He has dispersed the shades of night: thanks to him all is as midday. The light with no evening, Jesus our savior, has shone over the world. The land of Zabulun flourishes in imitation of Paradise, for «you give them to drink from the torrent of your delights» (Ps 36[35],9)... We behold in Galilee «the fountain of life» (v.10) who has appeared and illumined all things.

And I too, O Jesus, I shall then see you enlightening my mind and saying to my thoughts: «You who are always thirsty, come to me and drink» (cf. Jn 7,37). Water this humbled heart, broken by my wandering ways. They have consumed it with hunger and thirst: not a hunger for bread or thirst for water but for hearing the Spirit's word (Am 8,11)... That is why it groans softly as it waits for your judgments, you who have appeared and illumined all things...

Grant me a clear sign, purify my hidden faults, for my secret wounds are undermining me... I fall at your knees, O Savior, like the woman with the flow of blood. I, too, seize hold of the fringe of your garment, saying: «If I but touch it, I shall be saved» (Mk 5,28). Do not disappoint my faith, O healer of souls...; I shall find you for my own salvation, you who have appeared and illumined all things.