Even today we see his sacrifice. Jesus had just heard of the death of John the Baptist and he left the people and withdrew in a boat to a deserted place. A place of quiet and solitude . I can imagine he wanted to be alone to grieve and pray. But the needs of the people were great and they followed.
And he puts aside his desire to find a quiet place and he begins to heal them and then feed them.
Is this not a reflection of why he came and his crucifixion. He came to sacrifice and heal and feed the world his body and blood. On the surface it could be said it would be impossible to feed all. But he does.
By dying, he gives them bread that will last forever. People are healed and fed living bread that will give them everlasting life.
As his disciples we should expect to endure sacrifice in our life as we seek to bring Christ to others. Maybe when we seek quiet we will find the need is too great and insists we set aside personal rest. Maybe we find it is impossible to reach all who need his saving help. But we must endure and put aside doubts and just profess that we will say yes and we will offer Jesus whatever we have. We may not think we have the right words to tell others but he will provide. We may hesitate and say we lack the time or skill of money to help others. Our mission is to say yes to helping others and changing lives. Not to figure out how. We are just to do and being Christ to others.
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.
When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said,
“This is a deserted place and it is already late;
dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages
and buy food for themselves.”
Jesus said to them, “There is no need for them to go away;
give them some food yourselves.”
But they said to him,
“Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.”
Then he said, “Bring them here to me,”
and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,
he said the blessing, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples,
who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied,
and they picked up the fragments left over—
twelve wicker baskets full.
Those who ate were about five thousand men,
not counting women and children.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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