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.

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Some thoughts on this scripture

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?

Reflection
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.