AUGUST 2, 2020
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
First Reading: Isaiah 22:1-3
Second Reading: Romans 8:35, 37-39
Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21
What do you think is the meaning of Jesus feeding a crowd of five thousand people with only a few loaves of bread and two fish? Was Jesus simply showing his power to work miracle? Certainly no. The miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fish to feed five the thousand has far more to reveal to us about Jesus than His power to do miracles.
In this episode, we see how deep our Lord’s compassion for people. This is happening immediately after He heard about the death of John the Baptist. All He wanted to do was to withdraw to a deserted place to be alone and perhaps grieve but the needs of others will not let him. He had pity for the people because they were hungry and in need. While He gave them the Word for their spiritual nourishment, He healed their diseases and fed the people. Out of compassion for those in need, He deprived Himself of His planned rest. That is an act of self-offering which must become an example for us. Philippians 2: 5 says, “Let the same mind that was in Christ be also in you.”
Again, this passage is much more than about the compassion of Jesus. It reveals something extremely important about Jesus that I really want to point out. The multiplication of loaves is an unmistakable sign of His messianic mission on the one hand and also the crossroad of His public ministry, which from this point leads clearly to the cross. Deuteronomy 8: 3 says from the mouth Of God comes bread and the word that we need. By the act of multiplying bread and giving, Jesus demonstrates that his words are God’s words and His mouth is the mouth of God. Keep in mind that the fundamental context in which the entire chapter belongs is centered upon the contrast between Moses and Jesus. Jesus is the new and greater Moses. While Moses struck the rock and water flowed, Jesus promises to give living water. Moses gave them bread from heaven, Jesus fed them with living bread from heaven. In John 6: 14 after the multiplication of loaves, the people said, this is indeed the king who is to come into the world. But His kingship would come through the cross and not by popular acclaim.
He is concerned not just about our spiritual food but also our bodily food. Some will say, why doesn’t He do that today? Why doesn’t He multiply bread for the many millions who are starving in the world? We find the answer in this same passage. Jesus does not snap His fingers and bread and fish appear magically at will. He asked His disciples what they had; He invited them to share what they had: five loaves and two fish. Jesus does the same today. He asks us to share the resources of the earth. Our earth can comfortably contain and feed many times the current world population. Yet many are dying of hunger. Recently, I saw a video on YouTube how millions of tons of food are destroyed annually to prevent the fall of the prize of food. How can we accuse God of not furnishing enough bread for everyone? Think about our country and the amount of money that is constantly embezzled with impunity. The way out and what the Lord is asking of us today is better distribution, more solidarity and more sharing.
The bread and fish which Jesus gave to the people came from the disciples. Like them we too have our own five loaves and two fish. It could be the little time we have to share with someone who is troubled, sick or lonely. It could be the smile you share that lightens the hearts of those around you. Do you ever think you have little to offer and so shy from giving? Or that you cannot make impact unless millions? The truth is that we can all do something with our little. This miracle reveals how God can transform our little into exponential blessings for others.
Now, think for a moment! Taking the loaves and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples – Where else do you see this model? Taking the loaves, looking up to heaven, saying the blessing, breaking the loaves and giving them. It points unmistakably to the Eucharist. They all ate and were satisfied. This is how Jesus will bring to reality the invitation of Isaiah in the first reading. It is an invitation to be converted while there is still time and participate in the benefits of the new covenant. Why spend your money on things that do not satisfy. Come to me, listen to me, and you will have good things to eat and your soul will live. It is a message of hope, a message that finds its fulfillment in the Eucharist where Christ gives us the bread of life, the bread that nourishes us to everlasting life.
Happy Sunday
Fr Chidi Onwuka M.Ss.Cc