Multiplication of the Loaves

My dear friends in Christ,

Today’s Gospel is the Multiplication of the Loaves. This is the only miracle that is reported in all four Gospels because the link to the Eucharist should be obvious. The verbs used at the end of this miracle to describe what Jesus did with the bread are repeated at every Mass. The Eucharist has the same characteristics of this miracle: the community, the transformation of humble elements into what satisfies us and is a sign of God’s abundant gifts. Yet the gift is immeasurably greater: it is the grace to be grateful and to enter more deeply into this great mystery. In seeing how God takes care of His people, we can view this feeding in two ways. We can take it simply as a miraculous event, pointing to the divine origins of Jesus. Or we can see a sharing of faith and food. When the disciples began to share the little food they had with those around, it triggered a similar movement among the crowd, many of whom had actually brought some food with them. When everyone shared, everyone had enough. This is exactly what our Church should stand for. Do we take the opportunity to share what we have with others?

I wish to thank those who came forward with gifts toward the installation of the Networks Solutions streaming camera for the Church. Two of the donations were made in the name of Stephanie Horton whom we remember. Please continue to keep her family in your prayers.

May God bless you all,

Father John