1 Kings 3:4-13 / Mark 6:30-34
When we think about what are our basic needs, then it will surely come down to food, clothing and shelter.
That is essentially what we need to go on day to day.
When these needs are available and secured, we will begin to look at other needs.
Depending on what is our state of life and our direction in life, we will then determine our needs.
It may be emotional needs, like look for a life-partner and starting a family.
It may be intellectual needs, like going for further studies to achieve our ambition.
In the 1st reading, the Lord God asked Solomon what he wanted in life.
Solomon chose to ask for wisdom so that he will be able to govern God’s people.
God granted Solomon his request and other blessings besides.
In the gospel, Jesus and His disciples wanted to go off to a lonely place to rest and to be by themselves.
But the people kept following them, and when Jesus stepped ashore, He took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd.
Although the people did not say what they wanted from Jesus, they are already saying something by following Jesus.
More than anything else, they wanted to hear the Word of life and the Word of love from Jesus.
The people showed us what it is that we really need, and that is life and love.
And they also showed us that Jesus can give us these two gifts.
Let us follow the people by listening to Jesus, and then we will have life and love.