Readings: Isaiah 25:6-10a / Matthew 15:29-37
Setting the Scene
Jesus goes up on a mountain. Crowds come to Him, bringing the lame, the
blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. Matthew says they "placed
them at his feet."
Picture that. A mountain covered with broken bodies, desperate people,
those who couldn't come on their own being carried by those who loved them. And
Jesus cures them all.
The crowd is amazed. But here's what's easy to miss: Matthew tells us
they're glorifying the God of Israel. These aren't necessarily Jewish
people. Many are likely Gentiles, outcasts, people who had no claim to Israel's
God. And yet, they're praising Him.
Then comes the kicker: Jesus is moved with compassion. They've been with
Him three days and have nothing to eat. So He feeds four thousand people with
seven loaves and a few fish.
The Heart of It
"My heart is moved with pity for the crowd."
Not obligation. Not duty. Not even responsibility. Pity, or better
translated, compassion. The Greek word literally means His guts were
wrenched. He felt their hunger in His own body.
Isaiah prophesied about this moment: "The Lord of hosts will
provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines." Not
just for Israel. Not just for the righteous. For all peoples. A feast on
the mountain where God wipes away every tear, removes the veil of mourning,
destroys death itself.
Jesus is enacting that prophecy. On a mountain. With outcasts and
Gentiles. With broken bodies made whole and empty stomachs filled.
The disciples ask the obvious question: "Where could we ever get
enough bread in this deserted place?" They're looking at scarcity. Jesus
is looking at abundance.
Seven loaves. Four thousand people. Seven baskets left over.
God's math doesn't work like ours.
For Your Reflection
Consider these questions in your life. Be honest.
About Compassion:
- When has your heart been truly
moved with pity for someone else? Especially some who is suffering beyond
anything you could imagine.
- Do you feel others' pain in your
gut, or do you keep it at arm's length?
- Who are the people Jesus is
asking you to "be moved by" right now?
About Scarcity vs. Abundance:
- Where are you asking, "How
could there ever be enough for everyone?"
- What scarcity are you living in:
your time, your energy, your love, your patience, your resources?
- What if God's economy operates on
completely different principles than yours, none of that matters?
About the Feast:
- Isaiah promises a feast for all
people. Do you believe that the table of plenty is big enough?
- Who do you secretly think doesn't
belong at God's banquet? Why?
- Are you living like there's
enough grace for everyone, or are you hoarding it?
About Being Carried:
- The crowds brought their broken
loved ones and placed them at Jesus' feet. Who carried you when you
couldn't come on your own? or did you reject the thought of Jesus in your
life?
- Who is God asking you to carry to
Jesus right now? We should be doing all we can to lead others to Jesus,
are we?
- Are you willing to be carried
when you need it?
Praying the Glorious Mysteries
Today's mysteries show us the ultimate feast and victory:
The Resurrection - Death destroyed, tears wiped away, the veil removed forever.
The Ascension - Jesus prepares a place at the Father's table for all of
us.
Pentecost - The Holy Spirit poured out abundantly, more than enough for
everyone.
The Assumption - Mary, carried to the feast.
The Coronation - The banquet has begun, the Kingdom feast is real.
Isaiah's promised feast isn't just the future; it's breaking through right
now. Every time we receive the Eucharist it’s that mountain feast. Seven loaves
become His body, broken and multiplied. There's always enough. There are always
baskets left over.
A Quiet Challenge & Side Thought:
Francis called himself "a little poor man." He knew he had
nothing to offer but his poverty. And somehow, Jesus took that and fed
thousands.
What poverty are you hiding, thinking it's not enough to offer? Your
seven loaves might look laughable next to the crowd's need. But in Jesus'
hands? Abundance!
Side Thought: The Deception of Self-Sufficiency
You could have countless millions in investments and think
you have it all but do you? What you have is of this world. That's the evil
one's objective: make you so self-sufficient that you need no one but yourself.
After all, look where your decimal point sits. You don't need anyone, or do
you?
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers (2
Corinthians 4:4) to what truly matters. What good is it to gain the whole world
yet forfeit your soul? (Mark 8:36)
The real important focus in your life should be Jesus. Our
focus here should always be: what can I invest in here and now on earth so that
I stand the best chance to spend eternity in God's presence? How about
“Others”? Be a Giver not a Taker.
Do not store up treasures on earth; store them in heaven,
where your heart truly belongs (Matthew 6:19-21). For if we don't have Jesus,
we have nothing, and this life becomes a waste of time and energy that could
have been focused on Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the
will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17).
Closing
Pray with your empty hands open:
"Lord, I see the need. I see my inadequacy. I see scarcity
everywhere. Move my heart the way Yours is moved. Teach me Your math. Show me
that there's enough, enough grace, enough love, enough You, for everyone,
including me."
Then ask yourself:
- What small offering am I
withholding because it seems too small?
- Who am I called to carry Jesus to today? How about considering becoming a Eucharistic Minister, who brings Jesus
to the Homebound. I did that for many years back in Milford, Pa, every
single Sunday to 3 different homes. Look into it, it's an amazing ministry.
- Do I trust that there will be
baskets left over? Always give all you can and fully trust in the Lord to
take care of you.
Stay moved. Stay generous. Stay amazed.
Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
December 3, 2025
A Franciscan Reflection
©2025 James Dacey, Jr., OFS
