Jesus saw a large crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd" (This observation “like sheep without a shepherd”

 Jesus saw a large crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd" (This observation “like sheep without a shepherd” belongs to Mark; Matthew anticipated it for the introduction of the missionary sermon: 9:36). That crowd there, before Jesus, represents not only all of Israel, but also all of humanity. Everywhere, humanity lives without true shepherds, both in the political and religious spheres. On both sides, in the time of Jesus, the exploitation of the weakest was blatant. The political side, according to its ancient way of creating dependents, massacring the people with heavy taxes; and the religious side, instead of caring for and healing the sheep, plucked their wool for the benefit of religious exploiters in the Temple, men who placed heavy burdens on the shoulders of the people and were not able to touch them with a single finger, says Jesus. Men capable of preaching the teachings of the Torah, but incapable of helping the needy human being. In fact, the crowd had no shepherd. Jesus is the BEAUTIFUL Shepherd, that is, GOOD, TRUE, The only one who has compassion for those people, who came to meet them, taking on their pain, giving his life and rescuing them from evil.

"So he began to teach them many things." Above all, the crowd was hungry for the truth, for the knowledge of God, for the Word of salvation. Jesus Christ teaches not only because he knows the subject, but much more because of love, conviction, and total passion for what he says, because he himself is the Word that saves and leads each person to the truth about themselves, about God and about the world. Jesus shows them the Kingdom, the importance of following it, the only condition for salvation, and the need to live in communion, caring for one another for the good of all. In himself, Jesus Christ is the doctrine of the Father, which can only be understood and lived in the Holy Spirit. This doctrine continues to this day and will always be taught in the Church, the Body of Christ. Hence the importance of knowing well what the Church of Christ teaches. Dogmatic teachings are light for the Christian's continuity in the Light that is Christ. Dogma is the truth of revelation, definitively laid down by the Church for all Christians, so that everyone may attain the salvation accomplished by Jesus, who is the Truth, the Light that illuminates the world, especially when living in the desert and at the sunset of humanity. At dusk, in a desert place, the revelation and power of God are manifested, a sign that, even in today's difficult times, abandoning oneself to God and his teachings is the best path, the only security, because only in God can man find true rest and food for his hunger. Furthermore, the expression “at dusk” is linked to the Lord's Supper, and this was certainly the evangelist's intention when referring to the end of the day. Presented as a prophet greater than Elisha, who multiplied 20 barley loaves to feed 100 people (2 Kings 4:42-44), Jesus is also revealed as greater than Moses because he surpassed the gift of manna in the desert (Exodus 16ff). Jesus is also in the desert and has compassion for a hungry crowd, who will be fed by the New Moses. According to Matthew, the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves points to the Supper celebrated with the 12. In fact, when giving the loaves, he does not mention the fish, so that the community understands what was intended with such a miracle. Even the gestures are indicative of those of the Supper: “he takes the loaves, looks up to heaven, gives thanks to God, breaks the loaves and gives them to the people”, highlighting the Eucharistic ritual (Mt 26:26). Then, he gives the task of distributing the loaves to his disciples.