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Home Matthew 14:13-21 NRSVue

Matthew 14:13-21 NRSVue

13Now 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. 14When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 15When 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.” 16Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” 18And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19Then 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. 20And all ate and were filled, and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

“Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”

Reflection on Matthew 14:13-21

Inspiration from 2025-08-04 Daily Prayer

The crowds flocked to him, giving him little time for rest. In his compassion, Jesus teaches them, and he understands their physical needs. They did not seem to notice their hunger because they were being fed on a spiritual level. When our souls are fed, there is less need for material things. Do I give sufficient time to the needs of my soul?

Jesus tells his apostles that it is for them to feed the people. Today, he still calls for people to feed his people by giving them the Word of God and the  Eucharist. Let us pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life and for the grace of perseverance for those in this way of life.

Further reflection

This is a marvellous scene and we should pay close attention to the persons, what they say and what they do. How do we imagine the crowd reacted? What impact did this incident make on their lives? Do you think their participation in this event changed them?

Reflect and pray about the fact that this wonder is a sign of a greater wonder of the Eucharistic meal in which he gives us himself.