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Melania the Elder was known for her hospitality. She helped establish two religious communities on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. This was to help pilgrims stay safe in the area. The Mount of Olives contains many spots of the Passion, including Gethsemane, making it greatly significant for those on spiritual journeys.
Because of her focus on hospitality to pilgrims, I think Melania would appreciate where my mind went on reflection with our Gospel today. The story of the multiplication reminds me of the Mount of Beatitudes above the Sea of Galilee. It was there, as a pilgrim in the Land of the Holy One, that we were giving fishes and loaves before continuing our studies of the area and of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
Wherever we are on this pilgrimage called life, we need someone to help show us some love and care from time to time. With that in mind, we can follow the call of Jesus to Melania the Elder and provide the hospitality to those who need it along the way.