Matthew 14: 13- 21

1. The news of the death of John the Baptist prompted Jesus to go off and be alone, but the crowds followed him. Despite his personal sorrow, he was able to reach out in compassion to the crowd. Perhaps there have been times when you have put personal preferences and desires to one side, in order to reach out to another. What was it like for you when you were able to do this?

2. When Jesus saw the crowd, he recognised their need and responded to them. Who has been a Jesus-person for you, someone who recognised your need and reached out to you? For whom have you been a Jesus-person?

3. The scene symbolises the Eucharist, reminding us of the sacred meal to which all believers are invited, in order to receive nourishment from the Lord. How has the Eucharist been a source of nourishment for you?

4. When the disciples became aware of the problem, they wanted to send the crowd away, but Jesus told them: ‘You give them something to eat.' They thought what they had was insufficient, but Jesus used the little they had to feed the crowd. When we give the little we have to a situation, the results are often beyond our expectations. Have you had this experience?