Catechism Links [1]
CCC 1335: The miracle of the loaves and fishes prefigures the Eucharist
CCC 814-815, 949-959: Sharing of gifts in the communion of the Church
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| "Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes” by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, c. 1670. |
Commentary:
Reading 1: 2 Kings 4:42-44
Commentary on 2 Kgs 4:42-44
The story of the multiplication of the loaves from 2 Kings is part of a series of miraculous events attributed to the Prophet Elisha by his disciples. This section (2 Kings 4: 1 – 8: 15) is known as the “Fioretti of Elisha” similar to the “Fioretti (popular legends) about St. Francis of Assisi.”
In this passage Elisha is in Gilgal and there is a famine in the land. He is presented with barley loaves from the first fruits of the harvest and instructs his servant to feed one hundred people with the loaves. This is done over the servant’s objections that there would not be enough. As predicted by the prophet, there was more than enough. This event prefigures the later account of Jesus feeding the multitudes (as below in John 6:1-15 as well as Mark 6:34-44, Luke 9:10-17, Matthew 14:13-21 and Matthew 15:32-39) a demonstration of God’s love and mercy.
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Responsorial Psalm:
R. (cf. 16) The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
Commentary on Ps 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18
Psalm 145 is a hymn of praise. These strophes call on the faithful to give thanks to God for opening the gates of his Heavenly Kingdom. The second strophe is a clear reference to the ancient promise in 2 Kings 4:42-44 and the future promise of God feeding the poor in John 6:1-15. They continue praising God for his justice and his creating hand.
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Reading II: Ephesians 4:1-6
Commentary on Eph 4:1-6
St. Paul begins this chapter of his letter to the Ephesians with an exhortation to live (walk) in unity with each other. The theological foundation laid in the previous parts of the letter is now translated into the need to act upon that reality. The apostle's plea for unity uses the litany of bonds that bring Christian unity: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one baptism, and one God and Father.
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Gospel:
Commentary on Jn 6:1-15
This selection from St. John is the fourth sign from his Gospel, the multiplication of the loaves. It is the only miracle story carried in all four Gospels, and closely follows the synoptic Gospels (Mark 6:34-44, Luke 9:10-17, Matthew 14:13-21 and Matthew 15:32-39) in most details.
We see in this passage the strong reference to the Eucharist as well as a demonstration of God’s great love and mercy. More subtle is the reference to feeding the poor. Barley loaves were traditionally the fare of the poor. It is also interesting to note that, in the Jerusalem translation, the Lord “escaped” into the hills at the end of the story. This implied that the people were immediately aware of the great sign he had facilitated.
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Reflection:
“God feeds his people” is the one phrase summary of what scripture says to us today. In the story from 2 Kings, we see the great Prophet Elisha feeding a hundred people with the first fruits of the harvest. The story presented to the early Hebrew peoples would have been a testament to the prophet’s favor with God. We further note that he takes no credit for this event. Rather he says simply “For thus says the Lord, 'They shall eat and there shall be some left over.’” This formula “Thus says the Lord” is a common reference within prophetic literature for a prediction or a prediction fulfillment story.
The sparse details of the setting for this event contrast with the Gospel account from St. John St. John’s
These acts of God feeding the people are at once both miraculous and predictive in themselves. God continues to feed us. The offer is there, like manna provided in the desert (Exodus 16:4ff), it is there for us to take – freely offered in unconditional love only fully possible in the Savior. In our lives this food takes many forms. It comes to us in the form of the Eucharist; real bread transubstantiated into Jesus’ resurrected body and blood. In this spiritual meal we are feed with the sacramental grace that strengthens us and prepares us to continue our journey toward the Father.
He feeds us in other ways that are not quite so obviously linked to the symbolism in the scripture passages we have heard. He feeds us with the very word that describes his love and concern. In Sacred Scripture he reveals himself to us. Like a great artist who molds clay into exquisite art, the inspired words of Scripture describe the wonders of God’s creation, his mercy, and his love for us. In understanding the Word, we find the Word made flesh in the completeness of his revelation.
Finally, he feeds us with his very presence in prayer. His great consolation comes to us in times of need and we feel his abiding presence as he buoys us up in times of distress and magnifies our joy when we are happy. He feeds the soul in this way and we grow in faith and understanding as a result of prayer.
God feeds us! But, as the old saying goes, “You can lead a horse to water…” We are offered so much from God but ultimately it is up to us to accept what is offered. Our acceptance constitutes a bond with God that, in order for the food he offers to be efficacious, we must allow him to direct our lives along wholesome paths. His gentle yoke guides us to eternal life.
Pax
In other years: July 29 Memorial of Saint Martha
[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014.
[2] The image used is "Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes” by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, c. 1670.
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