Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time, August 07, 2023

James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes (La multiplication des pains), 1886-1896

Gospel Mt 14:13-21

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, "This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves." He said to them, "There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves." But they said to him, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have here." Then he said, "Bring them here to me," and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over– twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

Reflection

This to me is a classic reading, one that many have heard before, Jesus feeding the multitude or Jesus feeds the five thousand. This Gospel has always reminded me of faith when I read it. I am sure the disciples must have been doubtful, but they trusted Jesus and had faith in him. With just five loaves of bread and two fishes they were able to feed every one, and ended up even having extra leftover. It was a miracle. When I read about the disciples I always try to put myself in their shoes to see how I would perceive what is happening, and how I would react.

But often times when I do this I am usually shocked to find how little faith I would have. If someone told me those five loafs and two fishes were going to be enough to feed thousands, hundreds, even ten to fifteen people I would definitely be looking at them like they were crazy. But every time I read a passage like this where Jesus performs a miracle it never ceases to leave me in awe.

Now I don’t think doubt is always a bad thing… certainly questioning things and not taking them at face value is a valuable skill to have. Also, asking questions to better understand Catholicism is something we should all be doing to grow deeper in our faith.

But I think hope and trust is something I have to work at and like many of us it does not come easy. We are called to be disciples of our faith and like the disciples in these readings we should be ready and willing to follow Jesus.