A Reading of the holy gospel according to Mk 6:30-34 “The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. 34 As he landed he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. Reading: Mk 6:30-34 The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. 33Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. 34As he landed he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. Commentary: As in the other Gospel accounts, Christ's miraculous feeding of the crowds with a few loaves and fishes recalls the miraculous feedings of the Old Testament (e.g., the manna in the desert) and anticipates the Sacrament of the Eucharist, which will feed an unlimited number of people. His teaching of the crowds followed by the miraculous distribution of the loaves and fish is reminiscent of the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the basic elements of the Mass. Furthermore, it connects the spiritual nourishment of the Word followed by the sacramental nourishment of the Bread of Life. Gathering in one place to listen to the Word and take part in a sacred meal is representative of the new People of God. It is worth noting Christ used Eucharistic language in the multiplication of the loaves, i.e., "looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke . . . and gave" (verse 41), and that he distributed the loaves through his Apostles. (CCC 1335) Reading: Mk 6:34 34As he landed he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. Commentary: Sheep without a shepherd: This image was used in the Old Testament to describe the lack of spiritual leadership in Israel (cf. Nm 27:17; Jer 23:1-3) and the promised Messiah who would shepherd his people (cf. Ez 34:23). It also calls to mind the parable of Christ as the Good Shepherd (cf. Jn 10:11-16) and Christ's instruction to go out to the "lost sheep" of Israel (cf. Mt 10:6). (CCC 754, 1586) Works Cited Ignatius Press. The Didache Bible : With Commentaries Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2014. Edited by Rev. James Socias, 2nd ed., Downers Grove, Il, Midwest Theological Forum, Inc. ; San Francisco, Ca, 5 Jan. 2015, pp. 3, 389.