The problem of food has been one of the most urgent issues for most of humanity throughout history. And we are referring to material hunger, hunger for bread or rice, the lack of what is most necessary to survive.
Today’s Gospel tells us how Jesus multiplied a few loaves and fishes and fed a multitude. It is said that there were five thousand men, not counting women and children. They were desperate people. Perhaps that’s why they had abandoned their homes and set out into the desert to follow that preacher. Perhaps they were waiting for him to find a word of encouragement, something that would give them new hope.
But there is a danger in trying to understand this miracle literally. As a chronicle, it is improbable. Then, how many hours did it take for the disciples of Jesus to distribute those loaves and fishes to that huge crowd? And then, they pick up the leftover… Where did they go to look for those twelve baskets? Did they bring them empty? How is it possible that only one child kept the five loaves and the two fish? We know that children are the first to eat everything. In short, it doesn’t take much to conclude that the evangelists are not telling us a material fact, but they present us a catechesis page made of biblical images well known by their readers.
We must pay attention to the biblical references that the evangelist introduces in this story, such as references to the Jewish Passover – the event of exodus; a great multitude followed Jesus because they saw the signs he performed — as it happened with Moses and Jesus goes up the mountain just like Moses.
The miracle of Jesus is not only to feed them. Most importantly, he manages to make that crowd into a family who, sitting together, share a meal. He makes them a brotherhood. In fact, it is the boy who shares his bread that made the miracle! The miracle makes the people discover that, in sharing bread, one begins to believe that the well being of the other is the condition of my well-being. Jesus, God’s messenger and spokesman, gives hope to those who are desperate, welcomes into the family those who are lonely, and gives food to those who are hungry.
With Jesus, a new hope also opens up before us. We must be bearers of it for our world. We do not want to divide or hate or separate. We believe that we can live together in love with the bond of peace. We believe that it is possible to overcome the hatred that kills and destroys.
For your reflection
Where do you think there are signs of division in your neighbourhood or in your family? What could you do to gather those who are scattered around the communion table? Do you think that the Mass every Sunday is a sign of unity? What could you do to improve it?
Father Fernando Torres CMF
www.ciudadredonda.org
Translated by Father Alberto Rossa CMF
