I was on retreat recently and during one of his presentations the retreat master remarked, "Jesus responds to an immediate need, then to a deeper need and finally he offers the gift of the Kingdom."

When Jesus moved up the mountain near the Sea of Galilee he sat down and the crowd gathered around him. By sitting down Jesus showed that he was about to teach them as sitting down was the recognised position for a teacher. On seeing, however, the immediate needs and desires of the people, Jesus went into action. He cured many of the sick and disabled and, by doing so, established a relationship of wondering, grateful amazement with the crowd which led them to praise God.

Their praise of God must surely have stirred up in the people at least some vague hopes of even greater possible benefits. Jesus waited a little and, then, went into action again. Moved by their physical hunger he provided them with a meal in that remote place. Extraordinary banquets had been provided before for the people of Israel in remote places. Such banquets were promised in today's first reading and in the Responsorial Psalm where God is shepherd and host.