(Optional Memorial for Saint Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr, and his Companions, Martyrs)
Or
(Optional Memorial for Saint Cajetan, Priest)
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| “The Institution of the Eucharist” by Nicolas Poussin,1640 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Numbers 11:4b-15
Commentary on Nm 11:4b-15
We see in this excerpt, which follows the departure of the people from their sojourn in Sinai, that the “foreign elements” (Numbers 11:4a) were dissatisfied with just manna, and wanted meat to eat as well. At this lament, the passage describes Moses' complaint to God that the people would not be satisfied. This lament emphasizes that it was not Moses who brought the people out of Egypt, and it was not him who fed them, but the Lord God who did these things. Moses (and the author) recognize that freeing the people and depositing them in their own land is beyond the strength and ability of even the prophet.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 81:12-13, 14-15, 16-17
R. (2a) Sing with joy to God our help.
Commentary on Ps 81:12-13, 14-15, 16-17
Psalm 81 is a song of thanksgiving. The psalm generally gives thanks for the gift of the Law and its prescriptions, recalling also the salvation brought about by God. These strophes contain a lament for the times when Israel
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Commentary on Mt 14:13-21
St. Matthew’s account of the feeding of the multitudes is framed with Jesus’ grief over hearing of the death of his cousin, St. John the Baptist. He hopes to grieve in solitude, and so takes a boat to “a deserted place by himself.” While it is not said explicitly, we assume at least some of the disciples accompanied him in the boat. When the crowds catch up with him (Jesus is well established as an important teacher now), he does not turn them away but continues his work among them.
Possibly continuing his formation process with the disciples, Jesus tells them to feed the hungry people rather than dismiss them. The miracle occurs with significant symbolic numbers associated with it. Five loaves and two fish would add up to seven, in Hebrew numerology the perfect or most complete number. The fragments filled twelve baskets, enough for the twelve tribes of Israel. Five thousand men was a representation for a huge number and probably not meant as a census of the participants.
For the early Christian, there would have been even more subtle symbolism, as the loaves would represent the “Bread of Life,” the Eucharist; and the fish, the Christian symbol that identified themselves to each other as a consequence of the Greek letters used. Taken in its larger context the story is preparatory to Jesus' final trip to Jerusalem.
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Reflection:
The Gospel records Jesus telling his disciples, “…give them some food yourselves.” The language is unambiguous. He is telling his disciples to feed this massive crowd. We could surmise that this is just to highlight what he is about to do in feeding the multitudes. But Jesus does not generally invite his friends to participate in his ministry when he is present and then not expect them to accede to his requests. We recall (and will hear tomorrow) another time when the disciples were in a boat. They saw the Lord walking out to them on the water and he invited Peter to come to him (Matthew 14:25-31). When Peter tried and failed the Lord admonished him: "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
The miracle itself frequently overshadows his invitation to the disciples. St. John’s Gospel presumes it was a test of their faith. The fact is, the Lord expects his disciples to participate with him in feeding those who follow. This is not a passive role.
We look around ourselves in this day and age and see the multitudes that are hungry. The poor hunger for basic necessities, food, shelter, and the means to subsist. Others hunger for hope in a secular world that has denied the Lord of Love. We see these various constituencies and pray for them. Even as our heartfelt “Amen” is being uttered, we hear the Lord’s voice: “…give them some food yourselves.”
We hear that voice and feel like Peter must have felt as he began to sink. “The job is too big and I am but one person, not God.” Unfortunately, that excuse does not let us off the hook. The Lord invites us to participate in his ministry. It is the outward face of our paradox (to be part of the world but separate from it). While we feed ourselves with the bread he gives, we must also share that grace with others.
Our prayer today is that we always remember that all of us are asked to participate in the miracle that is Christ Jesus. We are called and we are sent.
Pax
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