“Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”
So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with
fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they
could eat.” John 6:12–13
John’s Gospel is filled with much symbolic meaning. The passage
above concludes the story of the miracle of the multiplication of
the loaves and fishes. After feeding the multitude of people with
only five barley loaves and two fish, they were able to fill twelve
wicker baskets with what remained. What was the reason for the
extra?
Saint Augustine, in commenting upon this passage, explains that
Jesus provided more than the people could eat as a way of
symbolically representing spiritual truths that were beyond what
the vast crowds could comprehend. Thus, Jesus’ teachings
spiritually nourished the crowds to the point that they were fully
satisfied. But even though the general crowds were satisfied with
what Jesus taught them, there was still so much more that He had to
teach. These deeper spiritual truths are represented by the extra
twelve baskets.
The twelve baskets represent the Twelve Disciples. They were the
ones specially chosen by Jesus to receive so much more. Recall the
times when Jesus taught the crowds in parables and then, later,
would explain the meaning to the Twelve in private. He revealed to
them certain truths that most people could not understand and
accept.
It is helpful to consider three different groups of people in this
miracle and apply those groupings to us today. The first group of
people are those who were not even present for the miracle. Those
who did not make the journey to be with Jesus in the wilderness.
This is the largest group of people within society who go about
their daily lives without even seeking minimal nourishment from our
Lord.
The second grouping of people is this “large crowd” who followed
Jesus to the remote side of the Sea of Galilee to be with Him.
These represent those who diligently seek out our Lord every day.
These are those who are faithful to the celebration of the Mass,
the reading of Scripture, to daily prayer and study. To this
grouping of people, our Lord teaches many things, and they are
nourished by His holy Word and Sacraments.
The third grouping of people, the Twelve Disciples who are
represented by the Twelve wicker baskets left over, are those who
are exceptionally faithful to our Lord and continue to be nourished
by Him in a superabundant way. These are those who seek to
understand and embrace the deepest spiritual truths so as to be
nourished and transformed on the deepest level.
Reflect, today, upon the fact that the spiritual food our Lord
wishes to offer you is most often far more than you can immediately
accept and consume. But understanding that fact is the first step
to disposing yourself to receive even more. As you reflect upon
this superabundance of spiritual food from our Lord, recommit
yourself especially to seek out that remaining “twelve wicker
baskets” of spiritual truths. If you do, you will discover that
there is truly no end to the transforming depths of the gifts of
grace our Lord wishes to bestow upon you.
My most generous Lord, You not only give spiritual nourishment
to Your people, You give it in superabundance. As I daily seek You
out and am filled with Your mercy, help me to never tire of
feasting upon the superabundant gift of Your grace. Please do
nourish me, dear Lord, and help me to consume Your holy Word.
Jesus, I trust in You.
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Featured image above: Multiplication of the loaves and fish
By Ambrosius Francken I, via Wikimedia Commons
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