Enough For Everyone
No other "miracle" of Jesus appears in the Gospels as much as the story of the “The Feeding of 5,000.” It is the only miracle to be found in all four Gospels. It is so important that Matthew (Mt 14:13-21 & Mt 15:29-39) and Mark (Mk 6:30-43 & 8:1-10) report the story twice.
The Gospel According to John
This evening, John refers to it as the miracle of the “Multiplication of Loaves”. He folds it into a story that fits in with his theological perspective: namely, that, in Jesus Christ, God himself has become present in the world. But before God reveals himself to us humans in Jesus Christ as true God and true man, he chose a people as his special beloved, belonging solely to him. From the forefather Abraham, through the prophets and leading to John the Baptist, God proves himself to be compassionate and almighty, who is on the journey with his people. God seeks to fill the lives of his people with joy and happiness – to bless them with his presence and his love.
God's Presence
Throughout the ages, throughout scripture, God has prepared the way for the arrival of Jesus using prophetic and saintly men and women. Today's Gospel text speaks of Jesus in an extraordinary way. So how can we interpret this miracle of feeding the 5,000?
How can we apply it to our lives?
How should we understand it?
Some people choose not to spend too much time reflecting on this miracle because it is too challenging or religiously exaggerated. You can think about it however you want. You can view it as too miraculous to understand, too “over-the-top”. Some may choose to skip over it all together.
Today's Challenges
O.K. Let me ask you: Are there words or actions where our religiousness can feel attacked?
Yes - it hurts my personal piety, when others make fun of what we believe in the Catholic Faith.
Miracle stories encourage us to not just focus on the surface or get caught up in visible signs. Instead, they challenge us to look beyond these signs in order to discover a deeper, more meaningful understanding of life.
The Sacraments as Visible Signs
In the life of the Church, we can find signs which have been given to us. Our sacraments are outward, visible signs that point to an inner, deeper, invisible reality. For example, in the Sacrament of Baptism - a person, whether it is an infant or an adult, is called to new life. Through the pouring of blessed water in the name of the Triune God, they become a child of God.
In the life of the Church, we can find signs which have been given to us. Our sacraments are outward, visible signs that point to an inner, deeper, invisible reality. For example, in the Sacrament of Baptism - a person, whether it is an infant or an adult, is called to new life. Through the pouring of blessed water in the name of the Triune God, they become a child of God. It is a divine transformation in the depths of our human existence.
What the Church Documents Tell Us
Getting back to tonight’s Gospel and the story of the Feeding of 5,000. It draws our attention to the celebration of the Eucharist.
One of the major documents of the Second Vatican Council, is the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, "Sacrosanctum Concilium". It called for great liturgical reform aimed at revitalizing the celebration of the Eucharist: the source from which all her power flows. When we come together to Celebrate the Eucharist, especially on Sunday, the Lord’s Day. We don’t celebrate that which is visible and seen. We celebrate the ONE Body, in the ONE Spirit, in the ONE shared hope that is given to us.
THIS ONE shared hope that is given to us in the flesh is called JESUS CHRIST.
HE invites us to participate in his life, his death, and his resurrection.
In the Sacrament of the Eucharist, we thank and praise God for HIS actions and work in us. It is important to remember that "Eucharistia" is translated from Greek and means “thanksgiving”. In the Eucharist, we let ourselves be touched and transformed by him in the depths of our souls. And we give thanks!
God Gives Himself to Us
During the preparation of the gifts, we bring our gifts, concerns, our worries, and ultimately ourselves, to Him in bread and wine. It is in these simple signs that God wants to give himself. God gives us what we cannot fully give to each other. What we humans can give ourselves and can give each other is always too little. This is represented by the little boy with his five loaves and two fish - "what good are these for so many!" As humans, the limited things we have to offer can only be transformed and multiplied by God’s grace.
Living The Gospel Message
If we are willing to share what we have, what we are, then God's grace can transform. With this in mind, maybe we can better understand what Saint Paul wrote in his Letter to the Ephesians:
“I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace!”
Friends, with God's help and grace, peace and justice can rule for all of mankind, and all of creation. It is THROUGH HIM and WITH HIM and IN HIM that we can experience the goodness and love of God. It is God who can satisfy our longing for the fullness of life.
There is enough for everyone – 12 baskets testify to the abundance of life for all.
Praised be Jesus Christ – Now and forever. Amen.