Reflect today on the most compassionate Heart of our Divine Lord

When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34

What is compassion? It is an attribute through which someone sees the suffering of another and experiences true empathy for him. This empathy, in turn, leads the person to reach out to and share the person's suffering, helping them to endure whatever they are going through. This is what Jesus experienced in His Sacred Heart as He looked upon this vast crowd.

The above Scripture introduces the familiar miracle of feeding the five thousand with only five loaves and two fish. And while the miracle itself offers a lot to ponder, this introductory line also gives us a lot to ponder regarding our Lord's motivation to perform this miracle.

When Jesus looked at the great crowd, he saw a group of people who looked bewildered, were searching, and were spiritually hungry. They wanted a direction in their life and, for this reason, they came from Jesus. But what is very useful to reflect on is the Heart of Jesus. He was not bothered by their insistence, he was not burdened by them; rather he was deeply moved by their spiritual poverty and hunger. This moved His Heart to "pity", which is a form of sincere compassion. For this reason, he taught them "many things".

Interestingly, the miracle was simply an extra blessing, but it was not the main action that Jesus took into consideration of His compassionate Heart. First of all, His compassion led Him to teach them.

Jesus looks at each of us with the same compassion. Whenever you find yourself confused, directionless in life, and spiritually hungry, Jesus looks at you with the same gaze that he offered to this vast crowd. And his remedy for your needs is to teach you too. He wants you to learn from Him by studying Scripture, by daily prayer and meditation, by reading the lives of the saints, and by learning the many glorious teachings of our Church. This is the food that every wandering heart needs for spiritual satisfaction.

Reflect today on the most compassionate Heart of our Divine Lord. Allow yourself to see him looking at you with the utmost love. Know that His gaze is what pushes Him to speak to you, to teach you and to lead you to Himself. Trust in this most compassionate Heart of our Lord and let Him reach you with love.

Lord, help me see you as you look at me with the most sincere love and compassion. I know you know my every struggle and my every need. Help me to open myself to You and to Your mercy so that You become my true Shepherd. Jesus I believe in you.