Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

Today's Gospel presents us with a woman who comes to Jesus with a desperate heart: "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." She is a Canaanite woman-an outsider, someone whom the disciples would not naturally consider part of the people of God. Yet she approaches Jesus with remarkable faith.

After feeding the multitude, Jesus sends His disciples ahead by boat while He goes up the mountain to pray. During the night, the sea becomes rough, the wind is against them, and fear fills their hearts. Then Jesus comes to them walking on the water and says, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."

Today’s Gospel presents one of the most beloved miracles of Jesus: the multiplication of the loaves and fish. Yet the true miracle begins even before the bread is multiplied. Jesus sees the crowd, is moved with compassion, heals their sick, and then invites His disciples to participate in His saving work.