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Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to
those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they
wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,
“Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”
John 6:11–12
The people who were present for this miracle of the multiplication
of loaves and fish had to journey to be there. First, they followed
Jesus to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, and then they
followed Him up a mountain in a remote area. This is significant
because it tells us that a miracle of such magnitude could only
take place for those who had faith and acted on that faith. Jesus
could have easily performed this miracle in the Temple in Jerusalem
or in a synagogue where people doubted Him. If He did that, then
many of His skeptics and critics would have seen His almighty power
with their own eyes. Jesus could have also done this miracle in
Nazareth, His hometown, in the presence of His extended family and
friends. Perhaps if He had done this, then they would have come to
believe in Him. But Jesus didn’t do this incredible miracle in
places where faith was lacking. Instead, He went to a remote area
where only those who truly wanted to be with Him were
present.
Note that the actions by which Jesus performed this miracle are
similar to the way He instituted the Holy Eucharist during the Last
Supper. We read above that Jesus “took the loaves, gave thanks, and
distributed them…” Though this miracle is recorded in all four
Gospels, in John’s Gospel it is a prelude to Jesus’ Bread of Life
Discourse in which Jesus teaches, “I am the bread of life; whoever
comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will
never thirst.” Therefore, this miracle of the multiplication of the
loaves and fish should be seen as a teaching about the Eucharist.
It is in the Eucharist that Jesus feeds us to superabundance. The
Eucharist is the gift of His very life and the food that will bring
us to eternal life.
Unfortunately, it seems that very few people ever discover the gift
of the Eucharist. Many people look at their participation in Mass
as a duty that they must fulfill rather than as an invitation to
share in the superabundant life. The only way we will discover the
superabundant life given to us through the Eucharist is by working
to imitate the faith of the people whom Jesus fed on that mountain.
Again, the people who received this miracle had to journey either
around or across the sea and climb a mountain. So also with us, the
only way to come to a fruitful participation in the Eucharist is to
make a concerted effort. The journey we make is one of faith, and
the mountain we climb is one of prayer. Unless we believe deeply in
our Lord, believe in the superabundant and transforming power of
the Eucharist, seek it out faithfully every week and do so
prayerfully, we will never be fed in this superabundant way.
Reflect, today, upon the symbolism of Jesus traveling to this
remote area so as to perform this most incredible miracle. See this
journey that you are invited to take as a journey toward the
discovery of the superabundant grace bestowed upon you through the
Most Holy Eucharist. The only way that you will receive this grace
is by committing yourself to the journey of faith and prayer. Don’t
miss out. Don’t ignore the incredible value of this Gift. Seek out
our Lord and discover His Gift of superabundant grace within your
fruitful participation in the Holy Mass.
My Eucharistic Lord, You call me to journey up the mountain of
faith in the most Holy Eucharist through prayer and determination.
May I more deeply discover the great value of the Holy Mass and
seek to be fed by You in this superabundant way. Jesus, I trust in
You.
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Featured image above: The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes by
Jacopo Tintoretto (Jacopo Robusti), via The Met
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