This week we look at a very familiar passage....the feeding of the more than 5,000 (because the women and children didn't get counted!).  There is so much more to this story that we sometimes overlook.  It follows on the heels of Jesus finding out about the beheading of John.  Jesus was getting into away from the crowd, probably to deal with his own grief and yet people followed him.  Not just a few people, not a small entourage, but over 5,000 people!!!!  Imagine trying to have a little quiet time and you look around to see thousands of people??!!  And yet, Jesus still -- in the midst of his own feelings of grief and sadness -- chooses instead to have compassion on the crowd.

Sometimes when we are in our own feelings, we miss and/or neglect the feelings of others.  Our task as followers of God is to always be present with others, showing compassion and care even when we would rather not. On this journey of faith, we find persons all around us who are hungry -- not just for physical food, but for spiritual food, for companionship, for care and concern.  And as Jesus reminds the disciples...."don't send them away.  You feed them!"

As we look at the story of Jesus feeding the crowd (remember there were more than 5,000!) maybe we will discover new ways to be attentive to the feelings of others, ways to address the hunger of the world, or maybe just those in our own sphere of influence.  As Jesus said to the crowd, we too need to find ways for our lives to say: "TODAY'S SPECIAL:  COMPASSION WITH A SIDE OF MERCY!"

Join us on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. on our YouTube channel and see if we can find more ways to be in touch with others.