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在今天的故事中，耶稣再一次向一大群人施怜悯——这一次只是因为他们饿了。

门徒向耶稣提出食物供应的难题时，耶稣便以数点现有物资开始。七个饼和几条小鱼实在不够喂饱那么多人，然而，门徒显然还没有考虑到耶稣丰盛的怜悯；祂只是要求我们拿出我们有的，祂便会藉此供应一切所需。

我常常发觉我手上掌握的资源，和我面对的需要相比，有一个很大的差距。你是否也有同感？

实际上，门徒提出了一个至关重要的问题：我们如何满足这个世界的需要呢？他们看到资源与需求之间的差距，但却看不到答案就在眼前。

这是一个我永远都在不断学习的功课。数算我们现有的资源后，我们知道这些都不够应付周围的需要。我们缺乏时间、耐性、款待的心、技术、智慧、精力、财富——还有其他你能想到的。然而，耶稣不会问我，我拥有的是否足够，祂只是问我拥有些什么——若将这些放在祂手上，就都变成足够的了。

你又作何选择呢？我盼望你知道，耶稣会将你拥有的，拿起来使用，向人施展神圣的怜悯。

In today’s story, Jesus has compassion for a huge crowd of people again—and this time it’s simply because they are hungry!

When the disciples raise the question of available resources, Jesus begins with a resource inventory. Seven loaves and a few small fish are way too few for feeding so many people. But what the disciples are not counting, of course, is the compassion of Jesus. What’s more, he only asks us to give what we have, and he will provide all that is needed.

I often find that there’s a big gap between my available resources and the needs I hear about. Is that the case for you too?

In effect, the disciples have asked a particularly critical ques­tion: How can the needs of the world be met? They see the gap and do not yet see that the answer is standing right in front of them.

This is a lesson I am forever learning. I tally up what I have, and it is not enough for all the needs around me. I do not have enough time, patience, hospitality, skills, wisdom, ­energy, finances—you name it. But Jesus doesn’t ask me if I have enough; he asks what I have—and in his hands he will make it enough.

What about you? I hope you know that Jesus will take and use what you have to extend holy compassion to others.