"You give them something to eat." (1)

Our Uncommon Lectionary reading for June 6 is Mark 6:30=46, the feeding of the 5000+.
"You give them something to eat," Jesus said, when the disciples suggested that he say the benediction and send the crowds on their way. They did not have much, but what they had, they shared, and miraculously, it was more than enough.
Let me set-up the scene for you: According to Mark, the apostles had just returned from their journeys-- Jesus had sent them out, two-by-two, to do all the things Jesus had been doing: they preached, they cast out demons, they anointed the sick with oil and cured them. Jesus proposed a vacation, so they got in a boat and sailed away to a quiet place on the other side of the lake. But, when they arrived, a crowd was there to meet them. Jesus had compassion for them, and began to teach them.
When it got late, the disciples, who still had not had anything to eat since they returned from their mission trips, thought it was time for Jesus to send the crowds away. And Jesus said, "You give them something to eat."
They were tired, they were hungry, and all they had were five pitas and a couple of fish.
Eventually, the disciples would get their rest, but right there, right then, there were hungry people in need of food. So rather than resting and reflecting, the disciples found themselves serving and clearing.
Sometimes compassion requires us to set aside our program, our schedule, our plan, and attend to the opportune moment. This was such a time.