Matthew 14:13-21
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.”
18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
You Give Them Something to Eat
Today's Gospel reminds us of Jesus multiplying five loaves and two fish, and the disciples gathering twelve baskets full of leftovers and broken pieces. May we read the text within the context that Matthew describes, and draw some lessons for our Christian witness today.
✝ They are in a desert place where Jesus works the whole day healing the sick that came to Him. He works out of compassion, not only feeling with the needy, but responding to their needs. He teaches us that love and charity are true acts of kindness, and more genuine than words. We are reminded of this in the parable of the good Samaritan. "...when he saw the wounded man, he had compassion on him" Luke 10:33-34. He didn't pass by on the other side.
✝ The disciples remind Jesus that it is almost sunset. He needs to dismiss the crowd and allow them to find some food in the neighboring villages and towns. No one among the crowd asks Jesus for food. He sees their need and their situation without them asking. Jesus reminds the disciples that the crowd is His and their guests. (V. 16) Hospitality requires full attention and joyful generosity!
✝ Jesus takes the initiative by forming groups to sit on the green grass, which means that the event took place in springtime (V. 19).
✝ While the disciples point to the sunset and the scarcity of supplies, Jesus teaches the crowd and His disciples that it is never too late and not impossible to satisfy those who come to Him with faith (V. 17). What is scarce in the hands of man is transformed into abundance by the hand of God.
✝ Hope is part of faith. Never lose hope as long as we believe that Jesus is with us. He says to us, "I am with you till the end of time" Matthew 28:20.
This Sunday's Gospel invites us to reconsider our personal commitment to compassion and to follow the example of Jesus. How many times do we think it is too late to perform an act of charity, or think we don't have enough to share with others? Be assured that what we offer will be multiplied by God for the good of others, and for ourselves too.
Lord, accept our gratitude for your love and charity, and teach us to follow your model with our lives as your faithful today.