Multiplication of the Loaves ~ by Ronnie Archer

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 55:1-3
Ps 145:8-9, 15-18
Rom 8:35, 37-39
Mt 14:13-21

Before Jesus worked this miracle, John the Baptist had been arrested and beheaded. Jesus was sad and withdrew to Himself, thinking that He would be left alone in His grief; but the people followed Him on foot. They wanted to get close to Him.

When Jesus left the boat, He saw the large crowd and His heart was "moved with pity for them." (Mt 14:13ff)

The disciples preferred Jesus to "dismiss the crowd so they could go to town to buy food for themselves," because all they had were five loaves of bread and two fish. (Mt 14:13ff)

Jesus did not want the people to be sent away; he asked the disciples to bring the bread and fish to Him. Ordering the crowd to sit down on the grass, He took the loaves and fish, looked up to heaven, saying the blessing, He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to give to the crowds.

The crowd ate and were satisfied. After feeding the multitude, there were twelve baskets full left over.

Jesus needed to be alone for awhile to be able to carry out His ministry. In our own lives we also need our time alone to withdraw to ourselves in order to be able to do what is required of us; but sometimes we don't have a choice when we want, or need to be alone. Situations will arise that we do not expect, nor can predict; but we have to handle them when they do come.

Jesus knows that we need physical food to replenish our strength and give us energy to carry out our tasks at hand; BUT He knows that we also need spiritual food for our souls that ONLY He can provide.

One way that we "withdraw" to ourselves to receive the "spiritual food" that is necessary for us, is when we attend Mass, listen to and heed the Word and receive the Body and Blood of Christ that is blessed and broken for us.

Jesus does not want us to turn away from the suffering of others. We need to be fed spiritually to be able to share others' suffering. The strength that we receive from the Word and the Eucharist enables us to go out and share.

The multiplication of the bread and fish was a sign to prepare the people and the disciples for HIS spiritual food for their souls. It was a sign of Jesus' Power!

We should thank GOD and recognize that this food is a gift from God!


~ Image by Erica Middleton at Hermano Leon Clipart