Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest

My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat.  I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.

Jesus recognizes the spiritual and physical needs of his flock. Like a good Physician He knows you must treat both body and spirit in order to heal someone completely. He also wants us to have the strength to carry His message into the world and do onto others as He has done for us. Just as He provides for our well being, He also asks us to do the same for our family, friends, and neighbors.

Do we care for the physical and spiritual needs of those around us as Jesus has taught us to do in His Holy Life? How often do we fail to live out the Gospel message He has given us and become the Living Bread of God for those around us? What do we do after Mass to express our gratitude for God’s gracious gift of His Word and Flesh?

O Lord, you have fed our spirits with your Word and our bodies with your Body and Blood. Help us to become a Eucharistic people proclaiming your Gospel through word and deed.

Amen.