1 John 4:7-10; Ps 72(71):1-2. 3-4b. 7-8; Mark 6:34-44
In the feeding of the five thousand, Christ reveals his true humanity - he has compassion, a deep feeling for the needs of those who have come to hear him. Although it does not seem to find its way into any of the English translations, the Greek, I am told, would literally be translated as 'his bowels moved with compassion'. The Greeks it seems were less shy than we are of their bodies!
Often we read 'had pity on them', which is language inclined in our modern ears to suggest a certain aloofness. Compassion is a better word, and allows us to understand that Christ truly does love us - loves us to the point at which it physically moves him. And for most people around us, the only vehicle available to Christ to express his compassion to the suffering peoples in this world - is us. As St Therese said, "I am his hands, his feet". Let Christ's compassion be expressed by how you, His body on earth, moves in the world and community you live in.