September 1

Seventh Sunday after Trinity

In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples unto Him, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with Me three days, and have nothing to eat. S. Mark 8:1, 2.

ALL sorts and all ages, men, women, and children, came to our blessed Lord, partly to hear His instructions, and partly to be cured by Him of divers diseases and torments (S. Matthew 15:30, 31). Thus receiving benefit from Him in their bodies, they were the more inclined to listen to the heavenly instruction which He gave them for the salvation of their souls. And between the two they were so taken up with Him that they continued waiting upon Him three whole days, until all the provisions which they brought with them were exhausted, and then our compassionate Saviour, taking pity on their present hunger and faintness, as He had before on the more grievous infirmities of many of them, put forth His almighty power to provide bread for them, a thing which we never read of His doing for Himself, not even after His forty days' fast. He waited till the Angels ministered unto Him, as when He was weary and sat down on Jacob's well, He waited until the woman came to draw water, and His disciples to bring Him meat. But here we see Him doing that for His poor followers which for Himself He declined doing; He feeds them by miracle.

Art thou weak, afflicted soul?

I am strong to make thee whole.

Art thou sick, and hast no cure?

I am thy Physician sure.

Art thou fainting on thy road?

I am near to bear thy load.

Art thou hungry, thirsty, poor?

I am rich to bless thy store.

Art thou much with grief oppress?

I am come to give thee rest.