Gospel
 
When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist,
he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.
The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns.
When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick.  
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
What is it that attracts a crowd of 5000 families? All these families had gone searching for Jesus. What did they want? 5000 families could have 5000 different answers! Many probably heard that Jesus performed miracles and who wouldn’t like to see a miracle!
 
Others probably heard that he was a healer, and they would go to any lengths to get their loved ones healed. Maybe you’ve witnessed that in your own life or others' lives as they search for a cure for their loved ones. Perhaps some were just curious, but I have a sense that among them, some were searching for something significant, something more.
 
I don’t think all these families went into the countryside expecting a free lunch. It’s quite surprising they didn’t come prepared. Maybe the day and the journey were longer and more challenging than expected.
 
I have this image in my head of the crowd following distant paths and trails trying to find Jesus and when they do try to get close to him, to hear him or touch him. They were all longing for something. What are you looking for? Certainly, we want our material needs met. Let’s face it hunger and poverty are only romantic in novels or the opera.
 
Before God, we come for our daily bread, all the things we need, being flesh and blood. We bring before God all those who are sick or troubled or broken, including ourselves. We come before God with hungry hearts, even when every material need is met, we still hunger for more. We hunger for meaning and purpose in life.
 
Surely our life has to be more than our possessions or our social status and the balance of our bank account? Surely life has to be more important than how attractive we are, popular or successful in the eyes of the crowd, in the eyes of others.
 
As we encounter Christ every week in the Eucharist, we bring before him all the events of our week, all our preoccupations. To be honest, at Mass sometimes, I don’t even know what to pray for, what to ask for or how to put it in the words. I ask Him to read my heart and mind, my very soul, and I place my life and indeed your lives in his hands.
 
As I come before him, I have to trust him that he knows best, and he will lead me in the right path. That he will touch my heart and mind that I may continue to live a life of purpose and meaning.
 
All humanity comes before God. It’s a life long journey; we are often hungry and broken. He will take pity on us, heal us, nourish us, and help us find meaning and purpose in our lives. Place yourself in his hands.

With Love and Blessings,

Fr Damian