Jesus is the manifestation of God’s love and compassion for all of us. God showed himself to Israel and to us constantly through indirect means: through the council and word of the prophets, judges, or kings; through occurrences in our personal lives or in historical events; and through people of good will, family and friends. With the presence of Jesus, God takes on our humanity and directly shares in our lives. God reaches out to us and makes us part of his divine life. That is the Incarnation, which we celebrate and remember during the Christmas season. This is our permanent joy as Christians.
The description of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves begins with the presence of Jesus amid the crowd – the Incarnation. It begins with Jesus’ compassion and pity for the crowds. Many interpretations of this miracle center on the physical or social needs of the crowd. Yet a careful reading of the text shows that Jesus’ first concern, compassion or pity is centered more towards the peoples’ lack of a shepherd. Sheep need to be protected and guided. They need to be formed into a herd to survive. Sheep need a shepherd. Seeing their need, Jesus’ first reaction is to teach and preach. He begins to call the wandering, lost sheep into a herd – that is to say, wandering, lost people into a community of faith, a Church.
Late in the day, the disciples come to Jesus troubled and disturbed. They bring up logistical, social, and physical concerns. Their personal experience and logic can only lead them to advise breaking-up the “herd” and breaking-up the relationship with the shepherd. They council everyone; sending them away to fend for themselves on the road. Their council is limited by their lack of wisdom and lack of recognizing Jesus as the only true shepherd, the Messiah, the Christ.
Rather than breaking-up the “herd” Jesus takes what little they have and sustains and nourishes the new Church through the dark cold desert night. That sustenance comes from the compassion that they received from Jesus, their only true shepherd. What a joy for us to be part of that constant new life.
This is obviously a sign of the Eucharist as the center that sustains the Church through everything. Our personal relationship and community (herd/Church) relationship with Jesus leads us to live in confidence and joy. We are called to share that joy, hope, and faith.
When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd.
Image: https://sanctusmario.com/reflections/this-is-jesus-for-you-tuesday-after-epiphany/