5th Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday – 12th February 2022 — Gospel: Mark 8,1-10
Echoing Christian Worship
The account of the multiplication of loaves and fish is the second incident of Jesus feeding the crowd in Mark’s Gospel. Nevertheless, this feeding is less abundant of the two. In the first feeding fewer loaves (5) and fish (2) are required to feed more people (5000) and more baskets are gathered after the feeding (12), but here more loaves (7) and fish (few) are needed to feed fewer people (4000) and lesser baskets are gathered (7). It is observed that this feeding account parallel the Eucharistic practice of the early church in worship beginning with the proclamation of the Word of God and teaching, followed by sharing and eating of the meal together. The passage reminds us then of the two-fold action of worship, namely that of giving thanks to God and being nourished by word and food. The first and foremost purpose of worship is literally to praise God for what God has done for us, i.e., thanksgiving celebration. Secondly the purpose of believers coming together is to be blessed with a richer understanding of God’s word and to be nourished by the bread of life.
