Advent Wk 1st: Wednesday 4th December, 2019 December 4, 2019
Reflection on the WORD
Jesus “Rewards”: When we give ourselves to God e.g. spending time in prayer,serving His people in need, supporting the poor financially, witnessing the Gospel with courage and humility, Jesus will never fail to bless and “reward” us abundantly; infinitely more than what we expect. Have you experienced this?
Matthew 15:29-30, 32, 35-37
Jesus reached the shores of the Lake of Galilee, and he went up onto the mountain. He took his seat, and large crowds came to him bringing the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb and many others; these they put down at his feet, and he cured them.
But Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them off hungry, or they might collapse on the way.’ Then Jesus instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks he broke them and began handing them to the disciples, who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected what was left of the scraps, seven baskets full.

Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- In today’s Gospel, Jesus shows deep compassion for the hungry crowd who “might collapse on the way” as they had been with Him for three days.
- How do we show compassion to those in need? Were our acts of compassion just “token” efforts i.e. disposal of our loose change, reluctance in sharing of our time, talents and the like? Or were they done selflessly and generously in Christ-like manner?
- Examine yourself today. Are your acts of compassion “token efforts” or are they deep, genuine and selfless? What is Our Lord asking of you today?
