Readings: Isaiah 55:1-3, Ps 145, Rom. 8:35.37-39, Matt. 14:13-21
Fr. Emmanuel Onyia
COME TO JESUS THE BREAD OF LIFE AND HE WILL SATISFY YOUR SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL HUNGER
Humanity is constantly in need of one thing or another; we are never tired of searching for things that will satisfy our desire for both physical and spiritual well-being. This is the situation and condition of the people in our Gospel passage today.
When they heard about Jesus, they followed him on foot. So as Jesus stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sickness and also miraculously fed them.
Here, Jesus fulfils his role as the expected messiah who is to liberate his people from all kinds of diseases. The healing touch of Jesus reveals to all those who are in need that God is faithful to his promises. This healing and wholeness are offered as a sign of the presence of God’s kingdom among his people. But Jesus did not just heal the sick, he also fed the crowd.
This feeding of the crowd refers back to the journey of the people of God in the desert from Mount Sinai to the promised land, which especially signifies the event of our Eucharistic celebration. The Eucharist has the same characteristics as this miracle: the community gathered together, the transformation of humble elements into a glorified body of Christ to satisfy our spiritual hunger, which is an abundant gift of God to humanity.
In fact, because of the link to the Eucharist, this is the only miracle that is reported by all four gospels. However, we can interpret this miracle of feeding the crowd in two ways. First, we can simply interpret it as a miraculous event, pointing to the divine origin and mission of Jesus.
Secondly, we can interpret the miracle as the fruit of sharing with one another, for it is possible that once the disciples began to share the little food they had with those around, others who had actually brought some food with them also started sharing what they had,e and indeed grace multiplied what they had to the point of having leftovers.
How I wish humanity could learn to share our resources with one another; believe me, the world will witness another miracle of multiplication of resources that will be enough for everyone, with leftovers for future generations.
So, as Jesus heals and feeds the physical aspect of humanity, he also knows that we need the food of the Eucharist to sustain us spiritually for our journey to heaven which is our promised land. Here, Jesus did not bring the loaves and fish out of nowhere. Rather, he took what was offered to him and multiplied them greatly. This bread is the gift of the Eucharist,t which we receive back from Jesus,s whose heart is always moved with pity and compassion towards us.
Little wonder Go, through the prophet Isaiah in our first reading,g invites us to come to the water,r all you who are thirsty; though you have no money, come! Buy corn without money, and eat, and, at no cost, wine and milk. For why spend money on what does not satisfy?. He says, listen, and your soul will live, for he has made an everlasting covenant with us out of the favours promised to David.
Dear friends, God loves us so much, that he is willing and ready to satisfy our unquenchable hunger for physical and spiritual things. And St. Paul in our second reading encouraged us to make sure that nothing comes between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us so much.
For neither death nor life, no angel, no princes of this world, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore, come to Jesus and embrace his love and you will be satisfied.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we are really hungry, in need of your love and satisfaction both physically and spiritually. Feed us once again with your heavenly grace, multiply the little bread and fish we share with others,s and provide for us the basic needs of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed Sunday.
