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 Jn 6:1-15

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

6 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), ² and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. ³ Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. ⁴ The Jewish Passover Festival was near.

⁵ When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” ⁶ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

⁷ Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

⁸ Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ⁹ “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

¹⁰ Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). ¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

¹² When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” ¹³ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

¹⁴ After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” ¹⁵ Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

Just picture 5,000 hungry people, five loaves, two fish and 12 baskets of "left-overs".   Truly a spectacular miracle! Not only does it show Jesus's compassion for the crowd, but sets the stage for the gift of himself in the Eucharist.  He knows and takes care of our physical and spiritual needs and does something concrete to meet them. Does this event embolden us and give us confidence to proceed when what we face seems impossible? When we hunger for guidance, or strength to bear illness, disability, or difficult choices, is not Jesus there with the solutions?  May we learn to put our trust in him and be confident that as he fed this multitude, he will take care of us.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, you demonstrated your loving care in a spectacular way by feeding the 5,000. Help me to trust that you will satisfy my needs as well. Amen.