Reflection for Wednesday December 3 Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest: Matthew 15:29-37

Gospel: Matthew 15:29-37

At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?”

Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.

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Reflection:

What do we do when we see the poor? Do we go out of our way to give something to those who hunger—not only for food, but also for dignity, compassion, and hope? Jesus summoned His disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with Me now for three days and have nothing to eat.”

Let us take a moment to be still. Let us close our eyes and place ourselves among the disciples. Let us listen closely and allow the words of Jesus to sink deeply into our hearts. As He speaks, let us imagine that He is looking at us and entrusting us with His compassion. Do we discern that the Lord is calling us to be His instruments in feeding, helping, and uplifting those who have nothing in life?

In these difficult times, when hunger has become commonplace Jesus continues to speak to us today. He reminds us, “Let your hearts be moved with pity for the poor and the hungry—for those who have nothing, for those who are oppressed, and for those who feel weak, forgotten, and abandoned.” His words are not only meant to be heard; they are meant to be lived.

It is easy for us to say, “We want to help,” or “We will do something for the poor.” But the true test of discipleship is not found in words alone. It is revealed in our actions—when what we do becomes concrete and tangible. Let us not be afraid to help, for this is precisely what the Lord asks of us. Let us not be anxious or doubtful, for every act of love we give—from a sincere and generous heart—will return to us in blessings beyond measure.

As followers of Christ, we are invited to allow our hearts to be moved as His heart was moved. The question now is this: in these challenging times, how are we allowing ourselves to become the compassionate hands and loving heart of Jesus for the poor and the hungry today? – Marino J. Dasmarinas