His love becomes their food

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A Matthew 14:13-21

When Jesus received this news he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick.

When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food’. Jesus replied, ‘There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves’. But they answered ‘All we have with us is five loaves and two fish’. ‘Bring them here to me’ he said. He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full. Those who ate numbered about five thousand men, to say nothing of women and children.

His love becomes their food

When someone who is dear to us passes away, we feel the sadness and the loss beyond description. Jesus loved and honored John who prepared His way. John’s death even left his disciples nowhere to go. He was linked to Jesus’ ministry after he baptized Jesus in the River Jordan. Jesus decided to depart for a while to be alone and mourning over the death of John. The crowds were not aware of this tragedy that made Jesus busy to attend to them who followed Him on foot. Even this trying moment did not prevent Jesus to attend to their needs. Another opportunity to teach them about the Reign of God followed.

He saw how the crowds were moved to listen to Him. He was indeed worried about them and even cured the sick. And without hesitation, he seemed to rebuke the disciples’ lack of concern towards the tired, hungry, and restless crowds. He changed their plan and went to follow His heart and promptings-to provide food for the crowds and let them stay a little bit more. He simply urged the disciples to do something, not to passively ignore the needs of the people and be responsible. There’s no excuse on their part to avoid this opportunity to help. This was the spiritual poverty on the part of His friends, the lack of trust amongst themselves, and community resourcefulness.

Jesus took the fish and the loaves, blessed and broke them while the crowds sat down on the grass. The disciples distributed the food to the crowds and everyone had his fill and the extras filled the baskets. Five thousand men ate, excluding women and children. We, therefore, could surmise that Jesus was already training His disciples to take full responsibility; to be good stewards of the graces He bestowed upon them, and to advance His Kingdom to include even those who were fully accounted for. Somehow this multiplication of loaves and fish foreshadows the Eucharistic presence and attributes. It is freely given, spiritual food for everyone, Jesus becomes the heart and soul of the community gathered to worship and celebrate God’s gift of eternal life. This divine food unites the people and becomes vital in our daily lives.

Lessons:
-even in sadness and mourning over the tragic death of John, Jesus transformed it into a joyful moment to minister to His people-attending to their needs for they were hungry to receive both the physical and spiritual food.
-His ministry was the fruit of His prayer and being alone with His Father. He developed a keen sense of compassionate service and nothing prevented Him to look for ways to encourage His disciples to follow Him even they refused, resisted, and avoided such an occasion. He proved to them that He is in control of all human circumstances.

-we cannot underestimate the little blessings in life when we are truly grateful. (Fish and the bread) fed the multitude, if we share whatever we have either little or plenty.
-our poverty is not entirely physical or material. When we acknowledge God as our provider and generous giver, we have our spiritual needs that He alone could provide.

Illustration and application:
When businesses were closed during the lockdown due to this massive health crisis, one restaurant owner decided to cook and distribute food for the homeless and for the jobless outside his place. Daily he woke up early in the morning with his crew to prepare the food and anybody could avail of his warm meals. He said during the interview: My business has been closed. I am not only moved to dispose of this food from my freezers and storage because they will someday get expired, but I believed there are so many like me will soon become poor and I have to reduce my employees who are on furlough, with their families to feed and bills to pay, I understand very well what’s is like if you have nothing. God has been generous to me ever since when I started this restaurant, now it’s my turn to share whatever I have if God took care of me, He will the same God who will also take care of everyone who goes to Him.

Our Lord points to us every day where we can find His Kingdom. It is among us, here and now. If we are responsible, accountable and willing to allow Him to be involved in our human affairs especially when we seek His wisdom, guidance and even material provisions, He is very much available and ready to extend His help as long we are putting concretely into action our trust and faith in Him. As here, the size of the donation is less significant than the generosity of one's heart (cf. Lk 21: 1-4; 2 Cor 9: 6-8). Gifts given to the poor are, in return, multiplied by God back to the giver as a treasure in heaven (6: 19-21; CCC 1434). They distribute the bread provided by Jesus in anticipation of the eucharistic liturgy, where the priests of the New Covenant give the Bread of Life as Holy Communion to the Church (1 Cor 10: 16; CCC 1329). The graces will be unlimited and serving our brothers and sisters in solidarity with them especially the poor, will minimize hunger, destitution, injustices, crimes, and other human maladies and sufferings.