How Many Loaves Do You Have?

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Gen 3:9-24; Mk 8:1-10

Today’s Gospel highlights Jesus’ compassion through his question. 

There are two questions in the Gospel: one that is asked by the disciples and the other by Jesus. 

If we analyse the content of the disciples’ question, it is impersonal and therefore free from any responsibility. The question ‘Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?’ has been framed in such a way that it lacks any personal involvement. Thus, robbed of the sense of responsibility, the question hangs in the air without addressing the problem in question. 

But Jesus changes the way a question is asked. By making his question very personal in a way that makes them accountable, Jesus offers the needed corrective when he asks in reply, ‘How many loaves do you have?’ By making them understand their inalienable responsibility toward those who are hungry, Jesus holds his disciples accountable so that they are now compelled to answer. 

And the answer solves the problem because Jesus finds it sufficient to intervene. By performing the miracle of multiplication, Jesus shows that in their willingness to help the needy humanity, his disciples will not be left alone. 

In other words, divine intervention is a reward for human willingness to intervene.

Let us pray that we may excel in our intention and intervention on behalf of the needy.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar