Manipulation for Self Interest

Satisfying hunger is a theme of the texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. The Book of Kings relates how the desire of the people to worship God is manipulated by Jeroboam to keep power and control in his hands after the fall of the reign of Solomon. The motivation of leaders to this day sometimes continues to be self serving. Mark relates the compassion of Jesus that motivates Him to care for their needs for material and spiritual food. Serving self is the direction which can lead to the manipulation of others.